The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama on Friday admitted a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, and his co-defendant, Ponfa Useni, to bail in the sum of N10m each after they were arraigned on a 12-count charge of alleged forgery.
The defendants are being prosecuted by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation over claims that they falsified documents, including an international passport and an irrevocable power of attorney, allegedly used to claim ownership of a London property reportedly linked to the late Jeremiah Useni.
Both men pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Counsel to the prosecution, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), raised no objection to the bail applications presented by Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) on behalf of Ozekhome and F. R. Onoja (SAN), who represented Useni.
Delivering a brief ruling, Justice Chizoba Oji granted each defendant bail in the sum of N10m with one surety each. The sureties, the court ruled, must be owners of landed property within the FCT.
The court also directed the defendants to deposit their international passports.
The judge further stated that since the matter was heard on a Friday, the defendants may go home if they are unable to fulfil the bail terms immediately but must return on Monday to perfect the conditions or risk being remanded in custody.
Details later.
