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Adoke vs Shehu Sani: Same Crime Varying Bail Conditions

While the court is within its discretion to grant Adoke bail to the tune of N50million naira for allegedly receiving up to N300million bribe in addition to other charges, his bail seems a slap on the wrist in comparison to that granted the Former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani

On Thursday, January 30, Former Attorney General, Mohammad Adoke who is charged for using his then office for self-gratification, was granted bail of N50million with one surety in like sum by an FCT High at Gwagwalada, Abuja.

The former AGF, charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission was arraigned on a 42-count charge of fraud and money laundering with regards to his alleged role in the controversial Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL) 245, otherwise known as Malabu oil scam worth 1.2billion dollars.

Adoke was said to have of accepted US dollars equivalent of N300,000,000.00 (Three Hundred Million Naira) as a motive for facilitating and negotiating the Block 245 Resolution Agreement with Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep Limited, Nigeria Agip Exploration Limited, and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited. This transaction reportedly occurred in August 2013.

While the court is within its discretion to grant Adoke bail to the tune of N50million naira for allegedly receiving up to N300million bribe in addition to other charges, his bail seems a slap on the wrist in comparison to that granted the Former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani who was on January 27th granted N10million naira bail for allegedly receiving 25,000 dollar bribe.

Shehu Sani, Former Kaduna Central Senator

Shehu Sani was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Monday, on a two-count charge bordering on alleged bribery to which he pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Shehu Sani is accused of using his office to defraud and obtain the sum of USD 15.000.00 cash from Alhaji Sani Dauda under the pretence that the money was meant to bribe four Judges and a Prosecutor.

The former lawmaker was arrested in December, for allegedly “collecting $25,000″ in the name of the EFCC acting chairman, Ibrahim Magu.

Sani’s N10million bail seems to be causing controversy as it is more than the sum he is accused of collecting. This is in comparison to Adoke who is accused of collecting N300million plus other charges and his bail is N50million naira.

While both courts are well within their discretion to grant these bail conditions to both accused charged of almost the same offences though, under the separate circumstance, some may question the wide difference in both court orders.

Why does Adoke seem to get a relatively less stringent bail condition?

Could Sani’s steep bail condition be connected to his constant criticism of the administration?

 

Adoke’s Bail

In addition to the N50million bail granted Adoke, he is to provide two sureties in like sum. The court, in a ruling that was delivered by Justice Abubakar Idris, also admitted Adoke’s co-defendants- Aliyu Abubakar and Rasky Gbinigie- to bail pending the determination of corruption allegations against them.

While it gave the 2nd defendant, Abubakar bail in the sum of N50m, it granted the 3rd defendant, Gbinijie bail in the sum of N10m.

The court ordered that the sureties be responsible citizens that must depose affidavits of means. It said the sureties must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court and must own verifiable landed properties worth the bail sum.

The court further ordered the sureties to tender their three years tax clearance certificates, even as it seized international passports of all the defendants, warning them not to travel out of the country without permission.

It held that the defendants must sign a written undertaking not to interfere with any of the prosecution witnesses and to make themselves available for trial at all times.

Justice Kutigi warned that breach of any of the conditions would warrant automatic revocation of the defendants’ bail.

Shehu Sani’s Bail

Granting the former senator the N10million bail bond, Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday ordered Sani to produce a responsible surety who has a landed property that is worth the bail sum.

He ordered the defendant to submit his international passport to the court as Sani must not travel outside Nigeria without obtaining permission from the court. The matter has been adjourned to February 24, for the commencement of trial.

 

 

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