The Maitama High Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has granted bail to Akintoye Akindele, a Lagos businessman in the sum of N500 million.
Justice Muazu granted Akindele bail on Tuesday following an application for his bail by his legal counsel.
BACKGROUND
Akindele is facing allegations of giving bribe of N50 million to members of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
Akindele, who had been in police custody for weeks, appeared in court on Tuesday, facing a single charge marked:CR/595/2023 filed in the name of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
The prosecution alleges that the defendant attempted to bribe police officers who were investigating a case of funds diversion brought against him, with the intention of enabling his escape abroad.
The prosecution asserted that the purported offense falls within the purview of Section 118 of the Penal Code Law, rendering it subject to punishment.
The charges against him read: “That you Akintoye Akindele, male (49 years), MD/CEO of Duport Midstream Company Limited of D2 Mambilla Close Osborne Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos between 5th and 9th August 2023 in Abuja, while being investigated by SP Ibrahim Ezekiel Sini and his team on a petition submitted to the Inspector General of Police FIB by Summit Oil International Limited on allegation of diversion of the sum of $5,636,397.01 and N73,543,763.25, you offered gratification of N150,000,000.00 and made part payment of N50,000,000.00 to SP Ibrahim Sini, a public servant in circumstance and for the purpose of allowing you to escape abroad and to write a report in your favour.”
Upon the reading of the charge, Akindele pleaded not guilty, contesting the prosecution’s claim. Following this, his lawyer made a bail application.
Justice Muazu aligned with defence lawyer, Henry Eni-Otu who maintained that the defendant charged offence is bailable.
As a result, the court granted bail to Akindele, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Duport Midstream Company Ltd, in the sum of N500 million, requiring two sureties of equal value.
Court’s Decision
Justice Muazu, presiding as the vacation judge of the court, held that one of the sureties must possess property within the court’s jurisdiction and reside in the FCT.
The judge directed the defendant to surrender his international passport to the court.
Acknowledging that the case cannot reach a conclusion before the impending end of the vacation period, Justice Muazu found it suitable to send back the case file to the Chief Judge of the court for reassignment to a standard court after the vacation.
Therefore, he directed the return of the case file to the Chief Judge for the purpose of reassignment.
Justice Hamza Muazu declined the prosecution lawyer’s appeal to extend the defendant’s detention for the purpose of allowing the police to complete their investigations.