Court grants alleged N1.8bn scam suspect bail, 40 days in custody without trial

By Abiodun OBA

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria has granted Tata Thomas Oluwafemi Michael, an alleged N1,843,000,000 scam suspect bail after spending 40 days in police custody without trial.

Addressing the court, the Prosecuting Counsel, Chukwu Agwu told the court that the alleged offences were committed between the 2020 and May 2022 in Lagos State, and within the jurisdiction of the Court.

He stated that the defendant, through his various bank accounts fraudulently obtained from one Danyan Amankop Udoh ‘F’ various sums of money under the guise that he would use it or invest same in Interest Yielding Businesses, which he knowingly or reasonably ought to have known that such fund is or formed part of the proceeds of unlawful act.

Agwu stated further that the offences alleged to have been committed by the defendant are contrary to Section 18 (2) (b) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibitions) Act, 2022

When the charge was read to him, the defendant pleaded not guilty to all the 9-counts.

Following his not guilty plea, his counsel, Mr. J.N Atawodi apologise to the court for not filing written application for bail but urged the court to allow him to move his bail application orally.

But Agwu opposed the application, submitting that the defendant has placed nothing before the court, hence could not make oral application for bail.

However, in his ruling, the presiding Judge, Justice Peter Lifu, held that the court has inherent jurisdiction to adjudicate on criminal matters.

The court then ruled: “I have considered the fact that the defendant has been in custody for more than 40 days without trial for a bailable offence. I have decided to consider the liberty of the defendant at this pre-trial stage.

“In that wise, I have advised myself by the principle of precedence, and legal authorities. I thereby admit the defendant to bail in the following terms and conditions:

“N100m and two sureties in like sum. The two sureties must swear affidavit of means and attached photographs of themselves and that of the defendant.

“One of the sureties must be a civil servant of the State or Federal level and not below grade level 14. The other surety must provide evidence of tax clearance, and registered title of a landed property. The claims of the defendant and that of the sureties shall be verified.

“The defendant is to be remanded in Ikoyi Correctional Centre until his bail conditions are perfected. The case has been adjourned till 18th October 2023 for trial.