The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Maitama on Friday granted bail in the sum of ₦10 million each to Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, and his co-defendant, Ponfa Useni, shortly after their arraignment on a 12-count criminal charge.
The charge was filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation over alleged forgery of documents, including an international passport and an irrevocable power of attorney, purportedly used to lay claim to a property in London said to have been unlawfully procured by the late Jeremiah Useni.
9news Nigeria reports that the defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), did not oppose the bail applications moved by Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) for Ozekhome and F.R. Onoja (SAN) for Useni.
In a brief ruling, Justice Chizoba Oji admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N10m each with one surety each, who must own property within the FCT.
She also ordered the defendants to deposit their international passports with the court.
The judge held that since proceedings were conducted on a Friday, the defendants might return home if unable to perfect their bail conditions immediately.
However, she directed them to report back to court on Monday to fulfil the conditions, failing which they would be remanded in prison.
