Ekweremadu’s house’s raid: Court admits alleged whistle blower to bail for N0.5m

An Abuja Upper Area Court sitting in Gudu district on Monday admitted a 50 year old false whistle blower, Ahmed Echodo to bail in the sum of N500,000 and a surety.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), last week Tuesday docked Echodo of No. 44, Living Truth Street, Masaaka, Nassarawa state on a count charge for allegedly providing the police with false information that led to the raid of the official Guest House of the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, in Maitama, Abuja on Friday May 27, 2017.

Ruling on the defendant’s bail application yesterday, Hon. Umar Yusuf Kagarako ruled that the offence allegedly committed by the defendant is bailable. He said he is entitled to bail.

“I hereby grant the defendant bail in the sum of N500, 000 and a surety who must have a fixed address and resident within the jurisdiction of the Upper Area Court.”

The police had accused Ahmed Echodo and one Maiwada Adamu who is at large for giving it misleading information that led to a raid on Ekweremadu guest house to which the defendant had denied.

According the Police First Information Report (FIR) ” that on May 26, 2017, at about 0900hrs, you Ahmed Echodo ‘m’ aged 50 years of No. 44, Living Truth Street, Masaaka, Nassarawa state and one Maiwada Adamu now at large did conspired within yourself by informing the office of IGP, STS at Guzepe Area of the FCT, Abuja, that House No. 10 Ganges Street, Maitama, FCT, Abuja occupied by Oliver Ogenyi is being maintained and used for criminal activities including keeping of arms and ammunition.”

The offence, according to the Prosecution Police officer, David Taiwo, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), is contrary to section 97(1) and 140 of the Penal Code Law.

After the ruling yesterday the defence lawyer Peters Ugwuoke asked the court to direct the prosecutor to furnish the defendant with the proof of evidence to enable him prepare his defence. The court obliged the request and directed the prosecution to served the defendant with the proof of evidence.

Hon Kagarako has adjourned trial to July 20, 2017.