By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja, has revoked the bail granted Geoffrey Akindele, one of the defendants in the trial of former Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris over alleged N109.5million fraud.
Justice Yusuf Halilu revoked Akindele’s bail, ordered the FCT Commissioner of Police and the EFCC to arrest and produce him in court next adjourned date. The revoking of the bail was sequel to his non-appearance in court for continuation of trial within trial.
At the resumed hearing of the matter on Tuesday, Akindele was absent in court as of the time the case was called, though Idris and Usman were in court.
Notwithstanding the pleas by counsel S.E. Adino that his client was on the way to court, and also submitting that his client has always been in court to face trial, Justice Halilu insisted on revoking the second defendant’s bail.
After listening to the submission of Adino about his client, the Judge held that when court grants a defendant bail, such person must reciprocate the gesture by attending court for trial.
According to the Judge, Akindele had clearly not shown good character and conduct by his refusal to attend court, adding that the second defendant had abused the terms of his bail.
Justice Halilu subsequently revoked his bail and ordered the FCT Commissioner of Police and the EFCC to arrest Akindele and produce him in court in the next adjourned date.
Earlier, the prosecuting counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, had informed the court that the prosecution received a letter from counsel for Idris and did not receive any from the counsel for Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited.
Meanwhile, the case has been adjourned to February 1, 2024 for definite hearing.
Akindele, who is the second defendant in the case and Ahmed Idris are standing trial alongside Mohammed Kudu Usman and Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited, on a 14-count charge bordering on diversion of public fund to the tune of N109.5 billion.
They were brought before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on behalf of the Federal Government.
Idris, among others, was alleged to have between February and December, 2021, while being a public servant by virtue of his position as Accountant-General of the Federation accepted from Olusegun Akindele, the second defendant, a gratification of the aggregate sum of N15, 136, 221, 921.46, which was converted to dollars equivalent by Akindele.
Ahmed Idris and the Technical Assistant to the Accountant-General of the Federation, Olusegun Akindele were accused of committing criminal breach of trust while being entrusted with certain property, to wit N84,390,000,000 between February and November, 2021 by dishonestly receiving the said amount from the Federal Government through Geoffrey Olusegun Akindele, trading under the name and style of Olusegun Akindele & Co.
The defendants, however, had pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them by the anti-corruption commission and were admitted to bail.
