SAN FRANCISCO, February 21, (THEWILL) – A Katsina State High Court on Tuesday granted a former governor of the State, Ibrahim Shema and three others bail to the tune of N1 billion per person.
THEWILL recalls that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Shema and the three others before Justice Maikaita Bako over alleged conspiracy, forgery and diversion of public funds amounting to N11 billion and abuse of office between 2012 and 2015.
He had been declared wanted by the anti-graft agency last September for allegedly refusing to honour its invitation.
Shema broke down in tears after operatives of the EFCC arrested him on February 7 denying the allegations but accusing Bello Masari, his successor, of being responsible for his legal troubles.
Others standing trial with the governor are former Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Sani Makana, former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government Affairs, Lawal Safana and former ALGON Chairman, Lawal Dankaba.
At the resumed hearing of the trial on Tuesday, counsel to the accused persons, Joseph Daudu (SAN), urged the court to grant bail to his clients arguing that by virtue of their positions, the accused persons deserved to be granted bail and the offences they are charged with are bailable.
Daudu also challenged the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the trial.
However, the prosecutor, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), opposed the application for bail of the accused persons and urged the court to hold that it has the jurisdiction to entertain the trial.
He said that the offences allegedly committed by the accused persons contravene Sections 312 and 364, Cap 96 of the Penal Code, Laws of Katsina State, 1991.
In his ruling, Justice Ibrahim Bako granted bail to the accused persons and also held that the court has jurisdiction to try the case.
He said that the state’s Attorney-General has the right to initiate criminal proceedings against any person in any court of law adding that the EFCC as a federal government agency has the right to try any financial crime related cases in any court in Nigeria.
He adjourned the case to March 28 for the continuation of hearing.
