Ahmed Idris, the suspended Accountant-General of the Federation, and three other people were re-araigned by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday for an alleged N109.5 billion fraud at a Maitama FCT High Court.
They were initially charged with misappropriation of N109.5 billion on 13 counts on July 22 before Justice Adeyemi Ajayi, a judge on leave.
Following their not-guilty plea, counsel for Idris, Chris Uche, SAN, prayed the court to allow the defendants to continue to enjoy the earlier bail granted them by the court on July 28.
He submitted that they have been complying with their bail conditions.
Counsel for other defendants aligned themselves with Uche’s application and submission.
The EFCC’s counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, did not object to the application. He, however, left the decision to the court to exercise its discretion.
Ruling on the application, Justice Halilu held that bail is a constitutional right of a defendant.
He added that having been previously granted bail by the court, he is favorably inclined to allow the defendants to continue enjoying the early bail granted them by the court.
He, however, directed that defendants submit their passports to the court’s registrar.
Justice Halilu adjourned the case until Nov. 23 for a hearing.
Olusegun Akindele, Mohammed Usman, and Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited are other defendants.
