Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court
sitting in Maitama, Abuja, on Monday, July 18, 2016 granted bail to one Olugbenga
Obadina, managing director, Almond Projects Limited who allegedly collected
money to the tune of N2.4billion from the Office of the National Security
Adviser, ONSA, under Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) purportedly for a phony contract.
He was arraigned on Friday July 15, 2016 by the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, alongside his company, Almond
Projects Limited on an eight-count charge for allegedly collecting a sum of N2,
417, 000,000.00 (two billion, four hundred and seventeen million naira), paid
into his company’s account in tranches, between 2013 and 2015 from the account
of the ONSA under Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) without contract award.
The offence is contrary to Section 15(2), (d) of
the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable
under Section 15(3) of the same Act.
Ruling on his bail application, Justice Dimgba
admitted the defendant (Obadina) to bail in the sum of N500million which will
be forfeited to the Federal Government in the event he absconds. The defendant
must also provide two sureties in the sum of N250million each and must enter a
bail bond with the court. The sureties can be a private businessman,
professional or civil servant of the rank of a director. The sureties must have
landed properties either in Asokoro, Maitama, Apo Legislative quarters, Wuse II
area of Abuja, or Victoria Island, Lagos
State. The sureties are to provide evidence of income tax payment for three
years.
Additionally, the defendant must deposit his
international passports with the registrar of the court, and must go to the
EFCC to comply with Section 15 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act,
which entails submitting himself for biodata collection, fingerprinting,
snapshot and necessary profiling.
Meanwhile, the defendant is to be remanded in
prison custody pending satisfaction of his bail conditions.
The matter has been adjourned to September 30
and October 4, 2016 for trial.
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