EFCC FAILS TO STOP BAIL FOR DASUKI’S AIDE, SECURITY CONSULTANTS

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) failed at the Federal High Court in Abuja in its bid to stop the court from granting bails to an aide of the former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Mohammad Sambo Dasuki and security consultants who were accused of corruption by the Federal Government. The EFCC lawyer Mr. Ofem Uket had made frantic moves to stop Justice Gabriel Kolawole from admitting the defendants on bails on the ground that they would escape justice by refusing to appear for trial in the charges against them.

The main defendants are Colonel Nicholas Ashinze, a former Aide in the Office of National Security Adviser; an Austrian and Security Consultant Mr. Wolfgang Reinl; a retired military intelligent officer Sagir Mohammed and a legal practitioner Mr. Edidiong Idiong. Uket told the court that although the defendants were granted administrative bail, but that the bail however terminated at the point the anti-graft agency filed charges against them. “We are aware that the defendants are enjoying administrative bail.

Their counsels understand that any administrative bail granted ends as soon as the matter is brought to court and bail applications are filed”. “Such bail cannot be extended since the charges have now been preferred to the defendants. We therefore urge the court to deny the bail application”, he submitted. He then urged Justice Kolawole not to admit them on bail on the ground that they may escape