L-R: Usman, Fani-Kayode and Yusuf (Photo: Ebal's blog)
L-R: Usman, Fani-Kayode and Yusuf (Photo: Ebal’s blog)

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, former Minister of Finance, Nenadi Usman and Mr Danjuma Yusuf were today granted conditional bail by the Federal High Court in Lagos. The trio, alongside a company named as Jointrust Dimensions Nigeria Ltd were arraigned before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission last Tuesday on a 17-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, corruption and making cash payments exceeding the amount authorized by law.

The accused persons were said to have illegally diverted about N4.9 billion belonging to the Federal Government of Nigeria into political and personal uses.

The bail granted today by Justice Sule Hassan was in the sum of N250 million naira each. The accused were required to each produce two sureties who must own landed property within the court’s jurisdiction. They were also required to deposit their travel passports with the court.

Their bail applications were made by their lawyers on Thursday after they took their pleas. Arguments relating to the bail applications were made on Friday and the judge ruled on them today.

In granting bail to the accused, Justice Hassan made two observations. In the first place he said, “There is no evidence that the defendants will evade trial if granted bail.” His second observation was that since the courts will be on vacation throughout the month of August, it will not serve the interest of justice if the accused were detained over a very long period.