Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja today (Wednesday) granted bail to former President Goodluck Jonathan’s cousin, Roberts Azibaola and his wife, Stella.
They were granted bail in the sum of N500 million each according to the judgment.
They are also expected to provide two sureties – one for each accused person.
The couple and their company – One Plus Holding Limited are standing trial on a seven -count charge of money laundering, criminal breach of trust and corruption by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
They were accused of diverting $40million purportedly meant for the supply of tactical communication kits for Special Forces.
The money we learnt was allegedly transferred from the account of the Office of the National Security Adviser with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to the domiciliary account of their company.
The offence is punishable under Section 8(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.
Ruling on the couple’s bail application on Wednesday, Justice Dimgba noted that the intention of Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015 was for courts to grant bail without attaching excessive conditions.
The judgment reads in part:“All things considered, I grant the defendants bail on the following terms:
*The defendants are admitted to bail in the sum of N500 million each.
*Two sureties in like sum which shall in turn enter a bail bond of the sum of N500 million.
*The sureties must each be owners of property in Asokoro or Maitama District of Abuja.”
He maintained that the sureties must show evidence of payment of their income tax.
The judge ordered the defendants be remanded in prison custody pending the fulfillment of their bail conditions.
