Justice Ohimai Ovbiagele of Benin High Court (Criminal Division) on Friday granted bail to Edo Woman Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Mrs. Aisosa Amadasun and four others, over alleged N1.5 billion contract scam.
Also granted bail are the former Chairman of the Edo State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB), Prince Stephen Alao, Adama Osabuohien, Dove Momodu and Mallam Ali Sulayman.
The accused persons were granted bail of N1 million each and a surety in like sum, who must be gainfully employed, reside within Benin metropolis and deposed to affidavit.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had on 5 October, arraigned the defendants before Justice Ovbiagele for allegedly using their offices while serving as board members of the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board, to award contracts to their cronies after collecting money from them.
After they all pleaded not guilty to the 5-count charge, the judge ordered their remand in Oko Prisons and adjourned the case until 9 October for hearing of the bail application.
At the resumed hearing on Monday, defence counsel, Mr Candy Ohio, urged the court to grant his clients bail.
Ohio, who argued that his clients were charged on matters bordering on criminal offences and not capital offence, pleaded with the court to use its discretion to grant the accused bail.
However, counsel to the EFCC, Harrison Ibekwute, opposed the bail application.
He argued that the offences contravened Sections 98b (1) (a) (II) of the Criminal Code, CAP. 48, Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria, as applicable to Edo State.
Justice Ovbiagele while delivering ruling on their bail application, agreed with the submission of the defense counsel that the case was bailable and that the defendants will not hinder the smooth hearing of the case.
