The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Maitama on Friday, granted bail in the sum of N10m 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, allegedly used to lay claim to a property in London said to have been unlawfully procured by the late Jeremiah Useni.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to 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 them to deposit their international passports with the court.
The judge held that since the proceedings were conducted on a Friday, the defendants may return home if unable to perfect their bail conditions immediately, but must report back to court on Monday to do so, failing which they would be remanded in prison.
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