A High Court of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Thursday, March 28, 2024 remanded Senator Benson Konbowei (PDP Bayelsa) in Kuje Prison pending the perfection of a N50m bail bond over a case of forgery slammed against him.
Konbowei, who represents Bayelsa Central Senatorial, was arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on forging the exemption certificate of the National Youth Service Corps among others.
Counsel for the police, Mr Reuben Egwaba, while opposing the bail application for the Senator, said that the lawmaker would interfere with his trial if granted bail, adding that while the charge was filed, the defendant took several steps to interfere with the matter.
According to the Police Counsel; “He also wrote a lot of petitions against me to truncate the matter. We urge my lord to refuse the application,” he prayed the court.
But, counsel for Senator Konbowei, Mr Gordy Uche, SAN, urged the court to grant his client bail, assuring the court he would not jump bail if granted one.
While ruling on the bail application, Justice Christopher Oba, held that Senator Konbowei must provide two sureties in the like sum who must have landed properties in the Federal Capital Territory.
The trial Judge also held that the Certificate of Ownership (C of O) of the sureties must be confirmed to be authentic.
Justice Oba there after ordered that Senator Konbowei be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre pending the perfection of his bail conditions.
According to Justice Oba; “The law is settled that bail is at the discretion of the court. Taking a look at the matter, it is not a capital offence”.
The Court however rejected an oral application moved by the Counsel for the defendant to write an undertaken to produce the senator in court till he perfects his bail and subsequently, adjourned the matter until June 24, for hearing.