Why Court granted Fayose’s aide Agbele bail; fined EFCC

*EFCC rejects bail, files stay of execution 

*Fayose camp says EFCC acting wickedly

Justice Olukayode Adeniyi of an Abuja High Court on Thursday granted an aide to Gov Ayo Fayose, Mr. Abiodun Agbele, bail to the tune of N50 million. Agbele, who has been in custody of the EFCC since June 27, had through his lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, approached the high court for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights.

While querying the legality of his detention without trial, Agbele, told the court that the anti-graft agency arrested and kept him in its custody on the premise that it is investigating about N1.3b that was allegedly traced to governor Fayose’s personal bank account.

Aside praying the court to order the immediate release of his client, Ozekhome, SAN, also requested that N500million be awarded to the applicant as compensatory damages for his unlawful arrest and detention. 

Specifically, Agbele prayed the court to enforce his fundamental rights to liberty, human dignity and the right to acquire and own properties in line with provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. 

Delivering judgment on the matter, Justice Adeniyi imposed a fine of N5m on the EFCC, saying the money should be given to the applicant as compensation for his unlawful arrest and detention. The judge said the anti-graft agency could not controvert the allegation that it has kept the applicant in its custody beyond the period stipulated in section 35 of the 1999 constitution. 

The judge granted Fayose's man bail in the sum of N50 million and a surety in like sum. The surety, according to the court, must be a top ranking civil servant with the federal government or any of its agencies and must show evidence of residence in Abuja. 

More over, the court directed Agbele to surrender his international passport with EFCC. It ordered the commission to within 21 days, charge the defendant or release all the property it seized from him. 

Agbele will however remain in custody until he's able to meet his bail conditions.

EFCC rejects bail, files for stay of execution
The EFCC has expressed indignation over the ruling of a Federal High Court, which granted bail to an ally of Governor Fayose, Mr Agbele. Responding to the action of the judge, the EFCC described his ruling as ‘shocking’ and indicated its readiness to appeal against it and file for a stay of execution.

Spokesman for the EFCC said it was ‘curious for Justice Adeniyi to grant bail to a suspect who is being investigated for a range of financial crimes bordering on fraud and money laundering.