A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo has granted Senator Benson Konbowei, representing Bayelsa Central, a N50 million bail.
The senator, who was arraigned on Tuesday on three counts bordering on forgery of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) exemption certificate among others, was allowed to go home pending the ruling on his bail application scheduled for Thursday.
The prosecution counsel, Rubben Egwaba, opposed the bail application, citing concerns that the defendant might interfere with the trial if granted bail.
Egwaba stated, “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.”
On the other hand, the defendant’s counsel, Gordy Uche (SAN), urged the court to grant bail to his client, assuring that the senator would not jump bail if granted.
Ruling on the bail application, the trial judge, Christopher Oba, granted Senator Konbowei N50 million bail.
Additionally, the judge ordered the defendant to provide two sureties with landed properties in the Federal Capital Territory, with their Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) confirmed to be authentic.
However, the judge ordered that Senator Konbowei be remanded in Kuje correctional facility until the perfection of his bail conditions.
Judge Oba stated, “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 properties 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 by the defendant’s lawyer to write an undertaking to produce the senator in court until he perfects his bail.
The case has been adjourned until June 24, 25, and 27 for further hearing.