PDP chairman, former candidates, others sent to prison

Justice P. I Adjokwu of a Federal High Court in Benin on Thursday granted the Edo chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dan Orbih, and Mr. Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the 2016 governorship candidate, N10m bail each for alleged N700m fraud.

But he also ordered them remanded in prison until they perfect their bail conditions.

Also granted bail in the sum of N10m each were the former deputy governor, Mr. Lucky Imasuen, a former member of the House of Representatives Tony Azegnemi, and Efe Anthony.

Justice Adjokwu ordered the defendants to produce a surety each in like sum.

The judge ordered that the sureties, who must not be below grade level 16, must be house owners, with Certificates of Occupancy that should be deposited with the court’s deputy registrar.

Adjokwu, who rejected the plea by defendants’ counsel, Mr. Charles Edosomwan that they be remanded in the EFCC custody until they meet the bail conditions, ordered them remanded in prison.

The udge adjourned the case till July 4.

EFCC had arraigned the defendants on eight counts of laundering the sum of N700m.

The EFCC alleged that the defendants were arraigned for receiving N700m, prior to the 2015 general elections, from former oil minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

The money was part of the $115m that Diezani allegedly pilfered from the treasury.

He said that the offence contravened Section 15(2)(d)of the Money Laundering (Prohibited) Act 2011(as amended by the Money Laundering (Prohibition) punishable under Section 15(3) of same Act.