A former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke (SAN), on Monday, expressed his preference to be remanded in the Kuje Correctional Centre to the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
His lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), spoke on his behalf shortly after he was arraigned on fresh money laundering charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday.
Adoke was arraigned alongside Aliyu Abubakar, who was accused of paying dollar equivalent of N300m in Adoke’s account in September 2013 in violation of the Money Laundering Act.
Ozekhome was arguing his client’s bail application when he noted that his client was produced in court by the EFCC from the Federal Medical Centre near Jabi, Abuja, where he had been admitted for treatment.
After the defendants took their pleas, the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Bala Sanga, had urged the court to remand them in the custody of the EFCC pending when their bail applications would be heard and determined.
The defence lawyers immediately noted that they already filed their bail applications and had been responded to by the prosecution.
While arguing his bail application, Ozekhome who urged the court to grant bail to the former AGF in liberal and affordable terms and conditions said his client would prefer to be remanded in the Kuje Correctional Centre, instead of the custody of the EFCC.
He said, “The first defendant voluntarily returned to the country. There is his statement attached to show that he returned to the country voluntarily.
“He did not run away. We have attached an exhibit to show that he went for his Masters’ study abroad.
“We have deposed to the affidavit about his health conditions. The prosecution themselves brought him to court from the Federal Medical Centre near Jabib in Abuja, this morning.
“We also plead that he be taken to the Kuje Correction Centre, a euphemism for Kuje prison pending when he meets his bail conditions to avoid the mental psychological strictures he goes through in the custody of the EFCC.
“My lord we pray that he be granted bail in liberal and affordable terms and conditions so that he can take care of himself.
“The law says, ‘come and stand trial’, it did not say ‘come and sit trial or come and prostate trial’.
“My lord as you can see, the first defendant who is less than 60 is already bent with age.”
Pharmacist beats Imo APC chieftain to death
by Chidiebube Okeoma, Owerri
Tragedy struck in Owerri, the Imo State capital, on Saturday after a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Damian Ali, was allegedly beaten to death by the owner of Swift Tel Pharmacy and his workers.
Our correspondent learnt that the incident caused pandemonium at Umuguma Junction in the World Bank area of Owerri.
It took the intervention of personnel of the Owerri Police Divisional Headquarters to restore normalcy in the area.
Southern City News learnt that the deceased was from Nkarahu in the Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State and until his death, a chieftain of the ruling APC.
A kinsman of the deceased, Mr Dominic Okpor, told our correspondent on Sunday that the pharmacist and his staff beat Ali to death while the victim was trying to park his car in front of the business premises.
Okpor said, “He was beaten to death at Umuguma Roundabout yesterday (Saturday) by the owner of Swift Tel Pharmacy and his staff, who came to stop him from parking in front of their shop.”
When contacted on Sunday, the state police spokesperson, Orlando Ikeokwu, said the owner of the pharmacy was in custody.
Ikeokwu disclosed that the suspect reported himself to the police.
He noted that the state Commissioner of Police, Olaniyi Fafowora, had ordered investigation into the incident.
The police spokesperson said, “The owner of the pharmacy is in police custody. He reported himself. The CP has ordered the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department to take over the matter.”
By Ade adesomoju