Justice Iniekenimi N. Oweibo of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday, August 15, 2019, granted bail to Abdullahi Babalele, a son-in-law to a former Vice President and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential candidate in the 2019 election, Atiku Abubakar, in the sum of N20m.
Babalele was arraigned on Wednesday, August 14, 2019 on a two-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of $140, 000.
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The defendant allegedly persuaded one Bashir Mohammed to make a cash payment of the sum of $140,000 without going through any financial institution, an offence contrary to Section 18(c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2100 as amended and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.
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The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.
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During the proceedings yesterday, Babalele’s lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, told the court that his client had filed an application for bail and served same on the prosecution.
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However, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, in his response, told the court that he was served with the application yesterday morning and that he would need time to respond to it.
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Consequently, Justice Oweibo, after listening to both parties, adjourned to Thursday, August 15, 2019 (today) for hearing of the bail application.
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During today’s proceedings, counsel to the defendant, Mike Ozekhome SAN, filed a motion for bail on behalf his client, seeking the order of the court to grant his client bail on self-recognition.
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Ozekhome also argued that the prosecution ought not to have opposed the bail application because the defendant was granted an administrative bail by the EFCC, after his arrest and detention in the EFCC custody.
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Ozekhome further told the court that the defendant had never jumped the administrative bail granted him by the EFCC since March, 2019, adding that the defendant would be willing to stand his trial.
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