PDP Chairman, Ex-Deputy Gov, Remanded in Prison

Rasaq AbdulKareem/

Unless he perfects his N10million bail, a Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would be kept in prison, says a Federal High Court judge in Benin, Edo State today.

Chief Dan Orbih, who is PDP Chairman in Edo, was granted N10million bail alongside Mr Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the 2016 governorship candidate, over alleged N700 million fraud.

Also granted bail in the same condition, were the former deputy governor, Mr Lucky Imasuen, a former member of the House of Representatives, Tony Azegnemi and one Efe Anthony.

Justice P. Adjokwu ordered the defendants to produce a surety each in like sum.

The judge ordered that the sureties, who must not be below salary grade level 16, must also be house owners, with Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) that should be deposited with the court’s deputy registrar.

Adjokwu, who rejected the plea by defendants’ counsel, Mr Charles Edosomwan, ordered them to be remanded in prison until the bail conditions are met.

The Judge adjourned the case till July 4.

EFCC had arraigned the defendants on an eight-count charge of laundering the sum of N700 million.

The EFCC alleged that the defendants were arraigned for receiving N700 million from former oil minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, prior to the 2015 general elections. .

The money was part of the $115 million that Diezani allegedly pilfered from the treasury.

He said the offence contravened Section 15(2)(d)of the Money Laundering (Prohibited) Act 2011(as amended by the Money Laundering (Prohibition) punishable under section 15(3) of same Act.

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