By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
Senior Correspondent
The trial of Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, a lawyer, human rights activist, and social critic, has been adjourned until June 13, 14, and 15 at the Federal High Court, Lagos.
The dates were picked after Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo granted him bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties in like sum.
Adegboruwa was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a one-count charge over alleged lease of a property against court order.
When the case was called, prosecuting counsel, Idris Abdullahi, informed the court of an amended charge dated May 12.
He submitted that the earlier charge dated and filed on May 5 was no longer tenable and had been replaced with the amended one dated and filed on May 12.
Abdullahi asked the court to substitute same, saying the charge had been duly served on the accused. He also asked for the amended charge to be read to Adegboruwa for his plea to be taken.
Oguntoyinbo, in a short ruling, struck out the charge dated May 5 and replaced it with the amended charge No FHC/L/CS/181C/2016.
Adegboruwa was then arraigned on the new charge, and he pleaded not guilty.
After his arraignment, Abdullahi asked the court for a trial date, and urged it to remand the accused in prison custody.
But Adegboruwa’s counsel, Emeka Etiaba, informed the court of a bail application filed on behalf of the accused.
He moved the application and urged the court to grant Adegboruwa bail on self recognisance, submitting that he was reputed for his relentless service to the poor.
Etiaba argued that “this application is brought pursuant to the provisions of sections 158 and 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 as well as Sections 35 of the 1999 Constitution.
“I urge my lord to consider the submissions of counsel in determining whether the accused is entitled to bail.
“The Blacks Law Dictionary defines entitlement as an absolute right to a benefit, and so, the grant of bail is an entitlement to a legal right.