Adoke Regains Freedom From EFCC Custody

Former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke was on Monday released from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Adoke has been in the custody of the EFCC after he was arrested upon his return from self-exile on December 19, 2019.

His freedom on Monday comes shortly after he was granted bail in the fresh money laundering charges instituted against him by the EFCC.

The former AGF and his co-accused, Aliyu Abubakar, earlier on Monday, pleaded not guilty to the charges instituted against them.

Shortly after they took their pleas, their lawyers argued their bail applications, which were opposed by the EFCC, through its lawyer, Bala Sanga.

About two hours after the hearing, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja granted him bail in the same terms and conditions of the bail earlier granted him on January 30 by the Gwagwalada Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Adoke’s lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), and that of Abubakar, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), who argued the bail applications earlier on Monday, said their clients had already met the bail conditions.

Adoke was said to have departed the court premises at about 3.15pm

Adoke, had earlier through his lawyer, Mike Ozekhome said he preferred to be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre instead of the custody of the EFCC.

He told the court after he was arraigned on fresh charges of money laundering that his he would like to avoid the mental and psychological trauma, he went through in the custody of the EFCC.