N4.6 Billion Election Scandal: Ex-Fayose’s Ally Gets Bail

Posted by Wole Oduwole Featured, Latest Headlines, News Friday, August 5th, 2016

By Ganiyu Nasirudeen

ABUJA, NIGERI (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted bail to a former ally of Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose – Mr. Abiodun Agbele as he is currently standing trial over his role on the alleged N4.6billion allegedly used to prosecute Fayose’s election in June 2014.

Justice Nnamdi Dimgba Thursday ruled that the bail is in the sum of N500 million while Agbele must produce two sureties in the sum of N250 million each.

Ruling further on the bail, the judge held that the accused bail application was granted as the prosecution failed to substantiate his argument that the defendant would jump bail if regained his freedom.

“Citing Section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), Justice Dimgba noted that the allegation against Mr. Agbele attracts three years imprisonment, yet, he is obligated to release an accused charged within the “threshold of the penalties referenced above to bail”.

However, the judge held that in case the prosecution was vindicated, the accused would forfeit the N500 million – his bail bond to the Federal Government.

Other conditions of the bail is that the sureties could either be private businessmen, professionals or civil servants, while such must not be lower than a director cadre if in the public service.

Justice Dimgba added that the sureties must also be owners of property within the Federal Capital Territory Abuja; Ikeja or Victoria Island, Lagos.

The next hearing on the suit has been fixed for October 26 and 27, 2016

Agbele is being arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on 11-count charge including money laundering. He allegedly received over N1 billion in Akure, the Ondo State capital on behalf of Fayose from a former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, to execute the Saturday, June 21, 2014 Ekiti State Governorship election said to be won by Fayose.

The sum of N4.6 billion was allegedly collected from the office of former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd).