PRISON: Cousin to Nigeria's immediate past President yet to regain freedom

 After spending about 80 days in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and granted bail by the Federal High Court in Abuja, cousin to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Robert Azibola, is yet to regain his freedom from Kuje Prison.

Azibola is facing trial with his wife, Stella, following a seven-count charge bordering on alleged $40 million contract scam brought against them by the anti-graft agency.

Cousin to the immediate past President have been unable to fulfill the bail conditions that were handed to them by the trial court.
Justice Nnamdi Dimgba had in a ruling on June 8 granted the defendants who are facing trial alongside their firm, Oneplus Holding Limited, bail to the tune of N1 billion.
They were directed to deposit N500 million each, as well as produce two sureties in the like sum.
The court maintained that the sureties must be owners of landed properties in either Maitama or Asokoro Ditrsicts of Abuja and must produce evidence that they paid income tax for the past three years.
It stressed that the registry of the court must verify and confirm that all the conditions were perfected before the defendants could be released from Kuje Prison.
However, the defendants, who secured bail through their lawyer, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), had yet to fulfil the conditions, which they said are very stringent.
A family source who spoke to Vanguard on Tuesday, blamed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for orchestrating the “harsh bail conditions” to be met by Robert, his wife and company, Oneplus.

He said the defendants have concluded plans to re-approach the court for variation of the bail terms, saying it has been difficult to get people to stand surety for the accused persons.
The source, who pleaded anonymity, said: “Not many Nigerians are willing to identify with anybody being tried in court in relation to the previous administration so as not to be tagged along as being corrupt while the harsh economic environment had taught many to be more conservative in their daily dealings.
“We are left with no option than to appeal to the trial judge to vary the bail conditions.
“We have already filed a plea with the court to tamper with the stringent bail conditions so that our brother can return home since he was arrested on March 21 this year by the EFCC.
“What the EFCC has not told the world is that the government is actually owing Robert and his company the sum of $4 million for the job he did which fetched the country over N1 billion in revenue.”
Specifically, the EFCC alleged that the defendants received a $40 million contract from the detained former National Security Adviser, retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki.
Azibaola was arraigned before the high court after he had spent 80 days in the custody of the EFCC.
Already, Justice Dimgba has ordered accelerated hearing of the charge against the defendants.
The matter was adjourned till June 28, July 4 and 5.