Former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that he prefers to be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre instead of the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He was arraigned before Justice Binta Nyako alongside one Aliyu Abubakar, who was accused of paying dollar equivalent of N300m into Adoke’s account in September 2013 in violation of the Money Laundering Act.
Adoke’s lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN) told the court after he was arraigned on fresh charges of money laundering and criminal diversion of funds in the Malabo oil deal that his client would like to avoid the mental and psychological trauma he went through in the custody of the EFCC.
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Adoke is the 1st defendant while Abubakar is the 2nd defendant in the case.
Ozekhome was arguing his client’s bail application when he noted that his client was produced in court by the EFCC from the Federal Medical Centre near Jabi, Abuja, where he had been admitted for treatment.
After the defendants took their pleas, the prosecuting counsel, Bala Sanga had urged the court to remand them in the custody of the EFCC pending when their bail applications would be heard and determined.
The defence lawyers immediately noted that they already filed their bail applications and had been responded to by the prosecution.
While arguing his bail application, Ozekhome urged the court to grant bail to the former AGF in liberal and affordable terms, adding that his client would prefer to be remanded in the Kuje Correctional Centre, instead of the custody of the EFCC.
He said, “The first defendant voluntarily returned to the country. There is his statement attached to show that he returned to the country voluntarily.
“He did not run away. We have attached an exhibit to show that he went for his Masters’ study abroad.
“We have deposed to the affidavit about his health conditions. The prosecution themselves brought him to court from the Federal Medical Centre near Jabib in Abuja, this morning.
“We also plead that he be taken to the Kuje correctional centre, a euphemism for Kuje prison pending when he meets his bail conditions to avoid the mental psychological strictures, he goes through in the custody of the EFCC.
“My lord we pray that he be granted bail in liberal and affordable terms and conditions so that he can take care of himself.
“The law says, ‘come and stand trial’, it did not say ‘come and sit trial or come and prostate trial’.
“My lord as you can see, the first defendant who is less than 60 is already bent with age.”