26th January, 2017
A Federal Capital Territory High Court on Thursday adjourned again till April 20 hearing of the substantive case in alleged violation of fundamental rights by ex-FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed, against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The case was adjourned at the instance of the court.
Mohammed, a former minister under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, was in the custody of the EFCC for weeks following petitions against him from the public on alleged complicity in the award of some contracts in the ministry.
He filed a motion on Notice on Nov. 16 before Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf for enforcement of his fundamental rights which he accused the EFCC of violating.
Baba-Yusuf granted him bail, saying the ruling was in consonance with the provisions of Sections 158 (b) and 165 of the Administration of Justice Act 2015.
The judge held that “ the right to bail includes the right to fair hearing“
He said the applicant met the bail conditions given to him by the EFCC, but that the agency failed to verify the conditions.
Baba-Yusuf adopted the bail conditions given by the EFCC as an administrative bail.
He granted him bail without any amount with two sureties of not less than the rank of directors in a Federal Civil Service, who must have certified landed property in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
He also ordered that the applicant should deposit his international passport at the court.
The judge had earlier adjourned the case till Dec. 14 to hear the substantive suit.