Posted by By EMMA EMEOZOR, Lagos and FEMI FOLARANMI, Yenagoa on
The Southwark Crown Court located on English Grounds off Battle-ground Lane, London yesterday adjourned till Friday its ruling on an application filed by Bayelsa State governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha seeking to be released on bail.
Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, facing a three-count charge of money laundering in Bow Street Magistrate Court, United Kingdom, was Tuesday granted bail with the sum of 1.5 million pounds and three sureties.
This is coming at a time the Speaker of Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Hon Boyelayefa Debekeme was arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Daily Sun gathered that Gov Alamieyeseigha got the bail following the plea of his counsel, Fidelis Odittah. He was, however, remanded in police cell until Friday when he is expected to fulfil the bail conditions.
Sources in London revealed that the embattled governor may appeal the court's ruling as well as demand the release of his diplomatic passport, which has been in the custody of the Metropolitan Police since his arrest on September 15.
It would be recalled that the governor was granted conditional bail last week by a Magistrate Court in London but he was re-arrested by the police, which arraigned him in another court on three-count charge of money laundering two days after.
On September 28, the court ordered that Alamieyeseigha should be remanded at the Brixton Prison till October 6 when the case would come up for hearing again.
But last Friday, his counsel filed a bail application to an appellate court, Crown Court on Southwark Street to secure his release from prison.
The case, however, was not heard because Crown Prosecution demanded that it should be allowed the mandatory 48 hours notice to respond to the application. The case was then adjourned to yesterday.
Meanwhile, bloodbath almost ensued in Yenagoa as gunshots rented some parts of the state capital, sending panic into the people, when operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) attempted to arrest the Speaker of Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Hon. Boyelayefa Debekeme.
Though police sources said they are still investigating the source of the gunshots, Daily Sun however learnt that it might be the fallout of the attempted arrest.
The shooting reportedly began at Imgbi road at about 7pm and lasted for some minutes, causing pandemonium as shops were hurriedly closed, while the people scampered for safety.
The panic immediately extended to Amarata, Onopa and Akikoro roads as vehicles and motorcycles struggled to get off the roads as people began to run in all directions, looking for alternative routes to their homes.
When Daily Sun moved around the area at about 7.30 pm, the place remained deserted, but a police patrol van was sighted close to Imgbi junction
Though the reason for his arrest has not been made public, Daily Sun learnt that Debekeme, who was in London for three weeks and returned to the country Sunday, might be on the wanted list of EFCC over the disappearance of his political associate and cousin to Governor Alamieyeseigha, Chief Abel Ebifemowei.
According to investigations, officials of EFCC accompanied by an assistant commissioner of police and the Mobile Police commander arrived the legislative quarters at about 8am and headed straight for the speakers residence where they made their intention known.
Debekeme, who did not resist arrest, volunteered to go with the EFCC officials, but youths who had trooped to his residence said no.
To stall the arrest, the enraged youths barricaded the main entrance to the legislative quarters with different cars, forcing the EFCC officials to abandon their mission.
The EFCC team later left for Government House, where they were later joined by the Speaker and some lawmakers to brief the Deputy Governor, Dr Goodluck Jonathan.
Debekeme, it was gathered, later reported to EFCC office in Port Harcourt and was taken into custody.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Andrew Oborodudu, who confirmed the visit of the EFCC to the legislative quarters and the inability of the EFCC to go with the Speaker, however, said Debekeme did not resist arrest.
"Yes, we are aware of the EFCC visit. They came to report at the command and we know they are in town. EFCC is a government institution and they can go to any part of the country to investigate any matter," he said.
Meanwhile, a press statement from the office of the Special Assistant to the Speaker on media and publicity has faulted the modalities adopted by the EFCC in its attempt to arrest the Speaker.
The statement signed by Mr Austin Bodo reads in part: "At about 8 am today, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) visited Bayelsa State and moved to the Speaker's residence at the legislators' quarters, with a view to taking him to their office outside the state.
'The Speaker, who has just returned from an overseas trip last night, was surprised, especially so, when he had not received any invitation from the EFCC. Youths and politicians who had thronged the Speaker's residence to welcome him back home faulted the procedure of the invitation and insisted that as head of the third arm of government he should be treated with dignity that behoves his office. The Speaker intervened by calming the youths and then proceeded to brief the Deputy Governor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.
"The Speaker made it clear that he was not against the work of EFCC and that he would make himself available anytime he was needed to clarify any matter. The Deputy Governor subsequently contacted the EFCC authorities to confirm the veracity of the invitation. The operatives left the office of the Deputy Governor without the Speaker."