The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted bail to 14 of the 15 suspects involved in the alleged invasion of the residence of Justice Mary Odili in the sum of N5million each with two sureties in like sum.
One of the suspects was not granted bail due to non legal representation. Justice Nkeonye Maha, in a ruling delivered around 8:48pm ordered that one of the sureties must be a responsible citizen that owns a landed property in Abuja not below the bail sum.
She held that the second surety must be gainfully employed in Abuja and must not only show evidence of three years tax payment, but also depose to an affidavit of means. The court further ordered the defendants to deposit their travel passports to the court registrar.
While the 14 male suspects were remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Service in Kuje, the 7th Defendant a female, was remanded at Suleja Correctional Center, pending the fulfilment of all their bail conditions.
After taking of plea, the Defendants, through their respective lawyers, asked the court to release them on bail on liberal terms, pending the determination of the case against them.
The Prosecution counsel, Matthew Amosun did not oppose to the Defendants’ request for bail but he however urged the court to impose very stringent conditions. The police arraigned the suspects for offences bordering on felony, forgery of court documents, EFCC logo and documents, signature of Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice among others.
The Abuja home of Justice Odili situated at Imo River Crescent, in the Maitama, was raided on October 29, 2021 by a combined team of security personnel, who claimed to be members of the Joint Panel Recovery unit of the Federal Ministry of Justice.
They were armed with a search warrant signed by a Chief Magistrate Court, that was hastily revoked by the Magistrate who claimed to have been deceived by the panel. The police had, after its investigation, arrested some persons it claimed were part of a crime syndicate. The case has been adjourned till January 17 for commencement of trial.
