Ex-Niger gov Aliyu re-arraigned, granted bail
A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday granted bail to former governor of Niger State, Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu and former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Muhammed Nasko, who were re-arraigned on a fresh eight count charges.
Ruling on a bail application, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba granted the defendants bail in the sum of N200 million bonds and two sureties each in like sum. The judge directed that the sureties must be public servants, professionals and public servants of not less than directors.
The sureties must own landed properties of requisite value within Abuja metropolis, excluding satellite towns.
The judge further ordered the defendants to deposit their international passports with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) says the Federal Government needs to “remain vigilant, strengthen response team, border and other national routes of entry surveillance” in the wake of an outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
It also urged Nigerians “not to panic and to cooperate with government in securing our nation especially during surveillance at entry points if the need arises.”
President of NMA, Dr Mike Ogirima, said the devastation Registry of this court and must not travel outside the country, save with the permission of the court upon their application.
The judge ordered that operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), working together must verify the satisfaction of the bail conditions within 48 hours, adding that failure of the defendants to perfect the conditions they will be remanded in Kuje Prison custody.
Aliyu and Nasko were alleged to have pocketed about N1.9 billion from projects executed in the Ministry of Environment between June and December 2014.
The defendants were on April 26 remanded in Minna Prison after they were arraigned on a six-count charge of money laundering valued at N5 billion.
The case has been adjourned to July 6 and 7 for hearing.