Posted by By GODWIN TSA, Abuja on
Temporal reprieve came the way of former governor of Plateau State, Chief Joshua Chibi Dariye on Monday when a Federal High Court granted bail on one of the cases filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Temporal reprieve came the way of former governor of Plateau State, Chief Joshua Chibi Dariye on Monday when a Federal High Court granted bail on one of the cases filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He would, however, remain in prison custody until another court in Abuja decides his bail application in another suit filed against him also by the EFCC for stealing and misappropriation of public funds.
Dariye was first arraigned before Justice Babs Kuewunmi on a 14-count charge of money laundering and abuse of office.
Justice Kuewunmi, in his ruling, held that the charges brought against the former governor were ordinarily bailable under the law, adding that the former governor had satisfied the condition precedent for the granting of bail.
Dariye is, however, to fulfill the conditions attached to his bail. He is to produce the sum of N100 million and two sureties in like sum, one of which must be a senator and a traditional ruler.
The sureties must have landed property in either Asokoro or Maitama District of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Besides, the court has ordered the EFCC to deposit Dariye's International Passport with the registrar of the court.
Justice Kuewunmi said he was convinced that Dariye would make himself available for trial, which he noted, was the essence of bail pending trial.
Decked in an ash suit and matching shirt and shoes, Dariye appeared unruffled as he stood in the dock with his eyes focused on the judge.
As soon as his application was granted, he walked out of the dock, took a bow before the court and said: "Thank you."
Elsewhere, Justice Binta Nyako has fixed Friday to rule on the bail application brought by the former governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Ibrahim Saminu Turaki, who is facing a 32-count charge of money laundering to the tune of 36 billion.
The former governor had prayed the court to grant him bail since the offences under which he is standing trial are bailable.
He said if granted bail, he would make himself available for trial and will not tamper with investigations by the EFCC.
Three former governors, Dariye, Turaki and Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu were, on July 16, arraigned before the Federal High Court by the EFCC. They have sine been remanded in prison custody.