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By Lizzy Chirkpi
The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in Maitama on Friday granted bail in the sum of N10 million each to Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, and his co-defendant, Ponfa Useni, shortly after their arraignment on a 12-count criminal charge.
Ozekhome was earlier arrested in connection with the matter before being brought before the court for arraignment.
The charge, filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, borders on alleged forgery of documents, including an international passport and an irrevocable power of attorney. The documents were allegedly used to lay claim to a property in London, said to have been unlawfully procured by the late former military administrator, Jeremiah Useni.
At the resumed proceedings, both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), did not oppose the bail applications moved by Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) for Ozekhome and F. R. Onoja (SAN) for Useni.
In a brief ruling, Justice Chizoba Oji admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N10 million each with one surety apiece. The surety, the court held, must own property within the FCT. The judge also ordered the defendants to deposit their international passports with the court as part of the bail conditions.
Justice Oji noted that since the proceedings were conducted on a Friday, the defendants could return home if unable to perfect their bail conditions immediately. However, she directed them to report back to court on Monday to fulfil the conditions, failing which they would be remanded in prison custody.
The matter was subsequently adjourned for further proceedings.