BREAKING: London Court refuses Ekweremadu's Bail

 

Ike Ekweremadu, a former deputy senate president, has once more been denied bail by the Central Criminal Court in London, better known as the Old Bailey.

Tuesday's pre-trial hearing resulted in the court rejecting bail on the grounds that the defendant posed a flight risk.

It was discovered that the letter and the senator's asset seizure proceedings by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission were cited by the court.

Ekweremadu's attorney claimed in the bail application that the Attorney-General of the Federal Government and the Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom had both written to the court stating that Ekweremadu was not a flight risk.

Additionally, his defense claimed that the Nigerian High Commission in the UK had similarly offered the option of electronically tagging Ekweremadu to track his whereabouts should he represent a flight risk and that a pledge to deliver him had been made.

His attorney further contended that Ekweremadu had demonstrated that he was a loving and responsible parent and could not flee to London, abandoning his wife and ailing daughter, citing the attestation of Ekweremadu's character by renowned Nigerians and organizations.

In order to gain Ekweremadu's release on bail, the defense also informed the court that they had sureties and security totaling around 500,000 pounds sterling from 11 individuals.

His defense mentioned Ekweremadu's participation in various international humanitarian programs in addition to stating that the defendant was a well-known public personality who was highly regarded.

According to Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), Ekweremadu's attorney, the EFCC shortened Ekweremadu's bail application in July, according to The PUNCH.

Awomolu claimed that among other things, the EFCC lied to Justice Inyang Ekpo in order to get an interim assets forfeiture judgment against the politician.

Through its attorney, Mr. Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), the EFCC refuted the accusations, claiming it was just a coincidence.

On January 31, 2023, the Ekweremadus trial will now start.

Source: The Punch Newspaper