A Federal High Court in Abuja today granted bail to the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, his Deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and the fourth defendant over charges of alleged forgery of the Nigerian Senate Standing Rules.
The trial judge, Justice Yusuf Halilu, said that the decision was in line with the provisions of the constitution adding that the accused would be remanded in Kuje Prison, if they fail to meet the bail conditions.
Justice Halilu told the court that the essence of bail was to ensure the “liberty of an accused person who is considered innocent until proven guilty and ensure his attendance to trial”.
“The decision to grant bail is at the discretion of the court which should be granted judicially and judiciously, following laid down constitution in respect of the nature of offence.
“Indeed I have considered and soldered the applications and counters filed.
“The provisions of the ACJA lends support that an accused person shall be granted bail to enable him attend trial.
“I have listened to the position of the prosecution on the third defendant – Senator Saraki – and it is only fair and natural that an accused person, who is contoured innocent, shall be given opportunity to prepare for their trial.
“I shall not unnecessarily over flog the position they occupy,” he said, once again listing their positions at the National Assembly.
Justice Halilu further stressed that the applications for bail conditions sideline the arguments of their lawyers for all the defendants regardless of the swaying positions of the prosecution.
“I shall allow the one, two and four accused to go home on bail on the conditions that two reasonable sureties who must be Nigerians – men or women – who must own properties in Asokoro Maitama Wuse two or Garki.
“Failure to fulfil the bail conditions, they shall be remanded in Kuje Prison,” he stressed.
The judge adjourned the proceedings till July 11 for commencement of trial.
The trial judge, Justice Yusuf Halilu, said that the decision was in line with the provisions of the constitution adding that the accused would be remanded in Kuje Prison, if they fail to meet the bail conditions.
Justice Halilu told the court that the essence of bail was to ensure the “liberty of an accused person who is considered innocent until proven guilty and ensure his attendance to trial”.
“The decision to grant bail is at the discretion of the court which should be granted judicially and judiciously, following laid down constitution in respect of the nature of offence.
“Indeed I have considered and soldered the applications and counters filed.
“The provisions of the ACJA lends support that an accused person shall be granted bail to enable him attend trial.
“I have listened to the position of the prosecution on the third defendant – Senator Saraki – and it is only fair and natural that an accused person, who is contoured innocent, shall be given opportunity to prepare for their trial.
“I shall not unnecessarily over flog the position they occupy,” he said, once again listing their positions at the National Assembly.
Justice Halilu further stressed that the applications for bail conditions sideline the arguments of their lawyers for all the defendants regardless of the swaying positions of the prosecution.
“I shall allow the one, two and four accused to go home on bail on the conditions that two reasonable sureties who must be Nigerians – men or women – who must own properties in Asokoro Maitama Wuse two or Garki.
“Failure to fulfil the bail conditions, they shall be remanded in Kuje Prison,” he stressed.
The judge adjourned the proceedings till July 11 for commencement of trial.
