Babangida Aliyu, the former governor of Niger State, charged with N4.568bn misappropriation was Wednesday granted bail in the sum of N150m by a high court in Minna, the Niger state capital.
Aliyu was arraigned last Tuesday by the EFCC on a six-count charge alongside Umar Nasko, the Chief of Staff under his administration accused of conspiring and dishonestly converting for personal use, the sum belonging to Niger State Government.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty and were remanded in prison.
In his ruling, Wednesday on bail application by counsel to the accused, Justice Aliyu Mayaki said: “The first applicant is admitted to bail in the sum of N150m with two sureties in like sum, who must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court.
“The sureties must also deposit Certificate of Occupancy (C of O)of landed property worth not less than N200 million, situated within the jurisdiction of the court.
“The second applicant is granted bail in the sum of N100 million and two sureties in like sum.
“The sureties must deposit C of O of landed property worth not less than N150 million.”
The judge held that the EFCC had not adduced concrete evidence to show that the defendants would interfere with justice, if granted bail.
The was subsequently adjourned until June 12 commencement of hearing by the Judge.
With agency reports
