By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Thursday granted bail to two out of five defendants arraigned by the Police for various alleged criminal acts bordering on conspiracy, inducement to police to restrain arrest, dealing in drugs, possession of live ammunitions and AK-47 firearms.
The five defendants comprise four females, Esther Newman Obiekezie a.k.a. Candy, Miracle Obiekezie, Oyetunde Olamide and Akere Esther while the only male is Okey Okebalam.
They were arraigned before Justice Ibrahim Ahmad Kala on a five counts charge preferred against them by the Police from State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba Lagos.
When the matter was called up for arraignment, Julio O. Hodonu Esq announced appearance for the prosecution while I.O Antia announced appearance for the 4th and 5th defendants. Meanwhile 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants have no legal representation.
The prosecutor informed the court that there is a charge against the defendants before the court dated and filed on March 4, 2024. He applied that the charge to be read to the defendants for them to take their plea. The court ordered that the charge be read to the defendants.
Counts One and Two affecting the five defendants were read and they all pleaded not guilty to the two counts.
Counts Three, Four and Five which affected 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants were read and the three defendants pleaded not guilty as well.
After pleading not guilty to all the counts, the prosecutor Hodonu urged the court to remand the defendants in Nigerian Correctional Centre, while applying for a further date for trial. He added that the proof of evidence is before the court.
In his response, the defence counsel for 4th and 5th defendants informed the court that he has filed application for bail of his clients and same was served to the prosecution today’s morning. The prosecution confirmed receipt of the process.
According to counsel to 4th and , 5th defendants, the application is supported by affidavit in support . While moving the application, he said the bail application for the 4th and 5th defendants was dated March 11, 2024 and filed March 13, 2024. He moved the application in terms.
He urged the court to grant bail to 4th and 5th defendants on a liberal terms.
The prosecution did not oppose the bai application of the 4th and 5th defendants.
Ruling on the application, Justice Kala granted the 4th and 5th defendants ( Akere Esther ‘f’ and Okey Okebalam ‘m’ respectively) bail in the sum of N10 million each with two sureties in like sum.
The judge ruled that one of the sureties must have landed property within the jurisdiction and a Grade Level 16 Officer
He said that the documents of the property must be verified by the prosecution with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court.
“The 4th and 5th defendants will be in remand until perfection of their bail while the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants who are not on bail will be remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Centre till the next adjourned date for trial.
Justice Kala adjourned the matter till March 20 for commencement of trial of the defendants.
The five counts charge dated March 4, 2024 with Charge No FHC/L/147c/2024 read:
” That you Esther Newman Obiekezie a.k.a. Candy, ‘f’, Miracle Obiekezie ‘f’, Oyetunde Olamide ‘f’, Akere Esther ‘f’, Okey Okebalam ‘m’ on the 6th day of February 2024 at Ilogbo Elegba, Lagos in the Lagos Judicial division, did conspired among yourselves to commit felony to wit: Corrupt offers to public officers and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap, C38, Vol.4, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.”
“That you Esther Newman Obiekezie a.k.a. Candy, Miracle Obiekezie, Oyetunde Olamide, Akere Esther, Okey Okebalam on the 6th day of February, 2024 at CP Tactical Team, Area ‘K’ office Ilogbo Elegba Lagos, did give a sum of N4 million and procured a 32 inches LGTV valued N225,000, AUCHMA Refrigerator valued N150,000 to police officers with intent to restrain them from arresting, prosecuting you for drug related offences and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 13 of Corrupt Practices and other related offences Act, CAP C31 Vol 4 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.”
“That you Esther Newman Obiekezie a.k.a Candy, Miracle Obiekezie, Oyetunde Olamide and others now at large, on the 6th day of February 2024, at No 10 Adekwe Street, Nepa Quarters, Abule Era Lagos did conspired among yourselves to commit felony to wit: selling, buying and deals in drugs and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, CAP C38, Vol. 4 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria ”
“That you Esther Newman Obiekezie a.k.a. Candy, Miracle Obiekezie, Oyetunde Olamide and others now at large, on same date, place in Lagos, did unlawfully buy sells, expose for sale, sachets of 0.15 g of Methamphetamine (ice) Psychoactive stimulant and 60mls of Tetrahydrocannabino (THC) Marijuana drugs and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 15 (a)(iii) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act ”
“That you Esther Newman Obiekezie a.k.a. Candy, Miracle Obiekezie, Oyetunde Olamide and others now at large, on same date, same place in Lagos Judicial division, have in your possession two rounds of 7.62mm x 39mm ammunition being ammunition of Avitomat Kalashnikova (AK-47) which you cannot give any satisfactory account of it and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 428(d) of the Criminal Code Act, CAP C38, Vol.4 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria”
