IGP Vs Francis Okolie, 3 Others Of Ogwashi-Uku: Federal High Court Grants Defendants Bail

The Federal High Court sitting in Asaba has granted bail to the four persons facing a 7-count charge of terrorism, attempted murder, malicious damage to property, among others, following the petition filed against them by the Obi of Ogwashi Uku Kingdom, Dr Ifechukwude Aninshi Okonjor 11. 

The accused persons are the National Legal Advisor of the Ogwashi – Uku Development Association, worldwide, Barr. Francis Okolie, Prince Eugene Izediunor, Mr John Nwona,  who is the Agidiase Youth President and the Secretary General of Ogwashi-Uku Development Association, Adigwe Eluemunor Sunday.

Counsel to the 1st defendant, Efe Akpofure SAN, 2nd defendant, Albert Akpomudje SAN, 3rd defendant, Prof  Oludayo Amokaye, SAN, and 4th defendant, Andrew Malgwi,, SAN, had, in their bail applications, urged the Court ti use its discretionary powers to grant the accused persons bail, assuring that they would not jump bail. 

In a counter affidavit, however, the Prosecution Counsel, Barr. Orji Kalu, urged the Court to deny the defendants bail in view of the severity of the charges against them and the likelihood that they will jump bail. 

Ruling on the bail applications, the presiding Judge, Justice Olufumilayo Agbaje, noted that the accused persons had been regular to the Court sittings and would not likely abuse the bail if granted them, emphasizing that bail was at the discretion of the Court.

Justice Agbaje, therefore, granted the defendants bail at five million naira each, a surety each in like sum who must be a responsible citizen and owner of a landed property within the jurisdiction of the Court, insisting that the original title document of the said landed property should be deposited with the Court. 

The Court also ordered the defendants to deposit their International passports with the Court and barred them from traveling out of the country during the pendency of the trial.

.

The Court threatened to revoke the bail should the defendants fail to make themselves available for trial and adjourned the case to the 11th and 12th of February 2025 for commencement of trial.              

Reacting to the ruling, Counsel to the 1st defendant, Efe Akpofure SAN and that of the 2nd defendant, Albert Akpomudje, SAN, expressed satisfaction with the ruling which they said was at the discretion of the Court.