Bankole Seeks Bail On Self Recognition

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Detained former speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole has applied to the Federal High Court in Abuja to release him on bail in his own self recognition.

Bankole stated that he was entitled to bail in his own self recognition being the immediate past House of Representative Speaker and a holder of national honour of Commander of the Federal Republic, CFR.

Bankole claimed that he had never been tried for any offence or convicted for any offence in Nigeria or any other jurisdiction and that his reputation and past record attest to the fact that he would not jump bail if granted one.

The former Speaker who was remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday by Justice Donatus Okorowo, denied committing the alleged offence.

In the motion paper dated 8 June 2011, Bankole denied ever conspiring with anybody or group to inflate contracts as alleged by the EFCC.

He also deposed to an affidavit wherein he stated that he is happily married with two young children who are likely to be emotionally traumatized, if the court denied him bail being the bread winner for his family.

He also claimed to be solely responsible for the emotion and material support of his aged parents and other dependants who would be adversely affected by any denial of his bail.

The affidavit also indicated that the former Speaker cannot escape out of the country because his travel documents including his diplomatic passports, have been confiscated by EFCC and that it is in the interest of justice that he be allowed bail since EFCC has completed its investigation into the alleged offence.

Hearing of the bail application is fixed for Friday, 10 June.

By Nnamdi Felix / Abuja

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