A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo has granted the senator representing Bayelsa Central, Benson Konbowei, a N50m bail.
The senator, who was arraigned on Tuesday on three counts bordering on forgery of the National Youth Service Corps exemption certificate among others was allowed to go home pending the ruling on his bail application fixed for Thursday.
The counsel for the prosecution, Rubben Egwaba, had opposed the bail application for the defendant.
He noted that the defendant would interfere with his trial if granted bail.
He said, “While the charge was filed, the defendant took several steps to interfere with the matter. He also wrote a lot of petitions against me to truncate the matter. We urge My Lord to refuse the application.”
The counsel for the defendant, Gordy Uche (SAN), urged the court to grant his client bail, assuring the court he would not jump bail if granted one.
Ruling on the bail application, the trial judge, Christopher Oba, granted him N50m bail.
In addition, he said the defendant must provide two sureties with landed properties in the Federal Capital Territory.
Oba said the C-of-O of the sureties must be confirmed to be authentic.
He, however, ordered that the senator be remanded in Kuje correctional facility pending the perfection of his bail conditions.
Oba said, “The law is settled that bail is the discretion of the court. Taking a look at the matter it is not a capital offence. N50 million and two sureties with landed parties within the court jurisdiction with an authentic C-of-O. The defendant should be remanded till the bail conditions are met.”
The judge declined an oral application moved by the defendant’s lawyer to write an undertaken to produce the senator in court till he perfects his bail.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter till June 24, 25 and 27 for hearing.
The PUNCH reports that the senator may celebrate Easter in Kuje should he fail to perfect his bail before the close of work.
Details later….