Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama,
Abuja, today July 18th granted bail to Olugbenga Obadina, managing
director, Almond Projects Limited who allegedly collected money to the
tune of N2.4billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser,
ONSA, under Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd) purportedly for a contract without
contract award.
He was arraigned on Friday, July 15th by the EFCC,
alongside his company, Almond Projects Limited on an eight-count charge
for allegedly collecting a sum of N2, 417, 000,000.00 (two billion, four
hundred and seventeen million naira), paid into his companyโs account
in tranches, between 2013 and 2015 from the account of the ONSA under
Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) without contract award. The offence is contrary
to Section 15(2), (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 as
amended in 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.
Ruling on his bail application, Justice Dimgba admitted Obadina to bail
in the sum of N500 million which will be forfeited to the Federal
Government in the event that he absconds. The defendant must also
provide two sureties in the sum of N250million each and must enter a
bail bond with the court. The sureties can be a private businessman,
professional or civil servant of the rank of a director. The sureties
must have landed properties either in Asokoro, Maitama, Apo Legislative
quarters, Wuse II area of Abuja, FCT or Victoria Island area of Lagos
State. The sureties are to provide evidence of income tax payment for
three years. Additionally, the defendant must deposit his international
passports with the registrar of the court, and must go to the EFCC to
comply with Section 15 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act,
which entails submitting himself for biodata collection, fingerprinting,
snapshot and necessary profiling while the EFCC is expected to write a
letter to the court in evidence of the defendantโs compliance.
Furthermore, an affidavit from the defence counsel on applicantโs
compliance will suffice in the event of the EFCC delaying. The court
registrar must verify the bail terms and can call on the EFCC where
needed or deemed necessary.
Meanwhile, the defendant is to be remanded in prison custody pending satisfaction of his bail conditions.
The matter has been adjourned to September 30 and October 4, 2016 for trial.
