Former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke (SAN) has been arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Adoke was arraigned a moment ago, along with one Aliyu Abubakar on a six-count charge of money laundering and related offences, brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
This is the second charge filed against Adoke by the EFCC, who is currently prosecuting him and some others before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Gwagwalada, Abuja.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty when an official of the court read the charge to them, following which Adoke’s lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN) urged the court to grant bail to his client on self-recognizance, having once been an AGF.
Alternatively, Ozekhome prayed the court to grant Adoke bail on liberal terms, arguing that by virtue of the provision of Section 162 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), the alleged offences are bailable.
Wole Olanipekun (SAN), who represented the 2nd defendant, equally urged the court to grant bail to his client.
Lead prosecution lawyer, Bala Sanga objected, but asked the court to remand the defendants in EFCC’s custody pending trial.