Fraud: Court Grants Shehu Sani N10m Bail, Fixes Feb. 24 For Trial

January 27, 2020

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, granted bail to the former senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, in the sum of N10m in like sum.

The trial judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, granted him bail shortly after he was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on two counts of bribery and advance fee fraud.

The anti-graft agency accused the former lawmaker, who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th Senate, of “collecting $25,000″ in the name of the EFCC acting chairman, Ibrahim Magu.

Sani who was arraigned before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja, pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge.

According to the charges, Mr Sani allegedly collected $15,000 from Sani Dauda under false pretence on November 20, 2019, promising to give the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Tanko Mohammed, in other to influence some pending cases in court.

He also allegedly collected $10,000 from Dauda to bribe the acting chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu.

He, however, pleaded not guilty of the charge.

After the charge was read to the former lawmaker, his lawyer, A A Ibrahim, asked the court to grant him leave to move Sani’s bail application.

However, the anti-graft agency lawyer, Abba Mohammed, asked the court for a remand order against Sani.

But in a ruling, Justice Ekwo held that the embattled Senator must produce a surety who will sign bond of the same amount and who must own a landed property worth N10 within Abuja.

The court further directed Sani to deposit his international passport and must only travel outside the country with the permission of the court.

The judge also directed the court’s registry to verify the assets and title documents to be tendered as a guarantee by the surety.

He also ordered the court’s registry to notify in writing the Nigeria Immigration Services that the defendant’s passport was in its custody.

The court adjourned trial till February 24, 25 and 26 for commencement of trial.

Sani was arrested by EFCC in December 2019.