A court in the Federal Capital Territory in Apo granted bail of N50m to Benson Konbowei, the senator representing Bayelsa Central.
The senator, who was charged with forgery of the National Youth Service Corps exemption certificate among other crimes, was allowed to go home until a decision is made about his bail application set for Thursday.
The prosecutor's lawyer, Rubben Egwaba, objected to the defendant's bail application.
He stated that granting bail to the defendant would lead to interference with the trial.
He mentioned that the defendant had taken various actions to interfere with the case and had filed petitions against him to disrupt the case. He requested the judge to reject the application.
However, the defendant's lawyer, Gordy Uche (SAN), asked the court to grant bail to his client, promising that the client would not flee if granted bail.
The judge, Christopher Oba, approved a N50m bail for the defendant.
Moreover, he specified that the defendant must present two guarantors with properties in the Federal Capital Territory.
Oba stated that the land titles of the guarantors must be verified to be genuine.
Nevertheless, he ordered that the senator be held in Kuje correctional facility until he meets the conditions for bail.
Oba explained, “The law states that bail is at the discretion of the court. Considering the matter, it is not a severe crime. N50 million and two guarantors with properties within the court's jurisdiction with a genuine land title. The defendant should be detained until the bail conditions are fulfilled.”
The judge rejected a verbal request from the defendant’s lawyer to assure the production of the senator in court until he fulfills his bail.
The judge then rescheduled the case for June 24, 25, and 27 for the hearing.
The PUNCH reported that the senator might spend Easter in Kuje if he does not secure his bail before the end of the workday.
More details to follow…
