IBRAHIM QUADRI and BLESSING OMALE
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, N100m bail with one surety in like sum.
Justice Abdulmalik, while delivering the ruling on Monday, held that the proposed surety must reside in either the Maitama or Asokoro districts of Abuja and must deposit the original Certificate of Occupancy of a landed property at the court registry.
The court also held that the surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 17 and must provide evidence of salary payments for at least three months.
These documents will be authenticated by a letter from the surety’s bank manager within the court’s jurisdiction.
The court further ordered the surety to depose to an affidavit of means, enter into a bail bond, and submit a recent passport photograph to the court registry.
As part of the bail conditions, El-Rufai is to deposit all valid international passports with the court, following the directive that a verification letter from the surety’s immediate department be submitted, alongside a tax clearance certificate covering the last six months.
Justice Abdulmalik further ordered the defendant to report to the Department of State Services headquarters on the last Friday of each month by 10 am to sign the attendance register, pending the determination of the case.
The judge warned that failure to comply would result in an automatic revocation of bail.
The court additionally directed the defendant to submit a letter of attestation from the Chairman of the Kaduna Traditional Council.
Speaking on the latest development, the former national Deputy Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olabode George said El-Rufai should not be denied bail because of stringent conditions
The Atona O’odua in a statement he personally signed and made available to newsemen, noted that the Court must remain the hope of the people.
Bode Goerge said, “Nigeria stands today at a defining moment between the rule of law and the rule of power. Bail is not a favour granted at the pleasure of authority; it is a constitutional right rooted in justice, fairness and the presumption of innocence.
“As an elder statesman, a patriotic Nigerian and an octogenarian who fears God, this intervention borders on the travail of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
“We don’t belong to the same political party but despite political differences, I see him as a son and he respects me like a father.
“However, I must protest anywhere I see injustice rearing its ugly head in the country.
“Before his mother died, those concerned were playing politics with his bail. He was released to bury his mother and since then, he was moved from one court to the other while lawyers argued his bail application.
“It is a welcome development that Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, on Monday, granted him bail. But series of stringent conditions were imposed.
“I am not asking for special treatment for El-Rufai but he must not be denied bail again because of these conditions. We are asking only that the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria be applied fairly, without fear, bias, intimidation or political persecution. A nation cannot claim to uphold democracy while citizens are denied the protections guaranteed by its own Constitution and by the principles of fundamental human rights.
“To the judiciary, history will remember not merely the judgements delivered, but whether courage stood beside justice in difficult times. The court remains the last hope of the common man, and that sacred trust must never be weakened by silence in the face of obvious injustice.
“To the President and all custodians of state power, true leadership is demonstrated not by the strength to punish opponents, but by the wisdom to protect justice even for those with differing views.
“We therefore call for fairness, due process, and immediate respect for the constitutional rights of every citizen. No democracy survives when justice is selective. No nation prospers when truth is imprisoned.”
For a better society
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