Admin l Thursday, August 01, 2018
IKEJA, Lagos, Nigeria – John Abebe, junior brother of late former First Lady, Stella Obasanjo was today temporarily released on bail. Abebe who was arraigned last week was granted bail on liberal terms following application of his defendant that he be granted bail on affordable terms and that he will not jump bail.
Abebe was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission(EFCC) on 4 million US Dollars fraud and had been in custody Ikoyi Prison since July 26, 2018.
Abebe led by former Attorney General of Nigeria, Kanu Agabi(SAN) and 3 other SANS argued that the defendant will not jump bail and that it is for the calibre of the defendants that there are provision for individuals to be granted bail on self recognisance.
He argued that the defendant is a first time offender and that the bail is however at the discretion of the court of the court and not a right. Responding, the EFCC Prosecutor, Babatunde Sonoiki, said every Nigerian is equal before the law hence the law is perceived to be blind.
Her lordship, Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court had today granted the defendant bail on liberal terms with one surety who must be owner of built up properties in choice areas of Lagos State and gainfully employed. He said that the defendant must submit his international passport with the registrar of the court.
She however ruled that since the international passport is already in custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), he is temporarily released on bail. She adjourned the matter till October 23, 24, 25,2018 for continuation of trial.
Abebe however left the dock, took a bow and joined members of his family. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Abebe July 26 on four counts of forgery before the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja on Thursday. The EFCC, alleged that Abebe, “knowingly forged” a November 30, 1995 letter written by BP Exploration Nigeria Limited to Inducon (Nigeria) Ltd.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the businessman “illegally inserted” into page 2 of the said letter “the following statement, “Also note that the ‘Buy-Out Option’ only applies to the pre-production stage of the NPIA. The $4m buy-out is thus irrelevant from production of oil in any of our fields.”
Abebe, EFCC said also attempted to “pervert the course of justice” by tendering the allegedly forged November 30, 1995 letter “as a fabricated evidence” in court, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/224/2010 between Dr. John Abebe, Inducon Nigeria Limited and Statoil Nigeria Limited.
The EFCC added that Abebe made an attempt to “mislead the court” by using fabricated evidence, contrary to Section 120 (2) of the Criminal Code Cap C17, Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003. The prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that, Abebe violated Section 126 (2) of the Criminal Code Cap C17, Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003.
Oyedepo added that forgery was a violation of Section 467 of the Criminal Code Cap C17, Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003. The businessman, however, pleaded not guilty. Justice Mojisola Dada, remanded Abebe in Ikoyi Prison.
