Upon his arraigned by the EFCC, Dokpesi through his counsel Mikie Ozekhome asked that the accused person be granted bail.
The judge presiding over the case, Gabriel Kolawole, after hearing submissions and replies from the defending and prosecuting counsels adjourned ruling on Dokpesi’s bail application to Monday, December 14.
On the motion on notice for the bail, the applicant sought three reliefs, there are: an order admitting the first accused/ applicant bail on self-recognizance or on such favourable and liberal terms as this case, pending the hearing and final determination of this case before this honourable court; an order from the court restraining the respondent (EFCC), its agents, servants, privies or howsoever called from further arresting, detaining and or remanding the applicant once granted bail in respect to anything that has to do with the subject matter of his initial arrest or anything related thereto, or to similar effect, except by an order of court.
The applicant also sought that for further or other orders be made by the court which it may deem fit to make in the circumstances of the case.
The grounds for which the reliefs were sought are:
1. The applicant voluntarily went on a verbal invitation by mere telephone call, to the office of the EFCC on Tuesday, December 1, and was subsequently detained by the respondent, after several hours of unprepared interrogation and being compelled to write bulky statement.
2. The applicant has been in the custody of the respondent since Tuesday, December 1,when he went to the office of the EFCC on a mere verbal invitation by the acting chairman of the commission and subsequently by an order obtained under questionable circumstances from the Magistrate Court 1, sitting at Wuse Zone 2, Abuja on Wednesday, December 2, to further remand the Dokpesi for 14 days.
3. The offences alleged against Dokpesi are ordinarily bailable.
4. There is no reason for, or any likelihood that, the applicant will jump bail, escape from justice, interfere with witnesses or investigation if same is still ongoing, or the course of justice upon his being granted bail.
5. The applicant has no criminal antecedents or record.
6. The applicant, owing to his status in the society, can be granted bail on self-recognizance, or on the most liberal of terms, as he will attend court at all times this case comes up for hearing.
7. The applicant’s health is bad and was indeed billed to travel abroad to see his doctor for his medical treatment a day before he was literally ambushed, detained and remanded by the EFCC.
8. The applicant’s son is wedding on Thursday, December 17, a wedding that had long been fixed and guests duly invited. The applicant desires to be present at his son’s wedding.
9. This honourable court per Kolawole J., had on Friday, December 4 upon an exparte application by the applicant ordered the respondent to produce the applicant in court and show cause by Monday, December 14 why the applicant should not be released conditionally or unconditionally on bail.
Meanwhile, judge has ordered that the applicant remain in the custody of the EFCCtill Monday, December 14, when ruling of the bail application will be made.
Source:Naij
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