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National chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Vincent Ogbulafor yesterday was arraigned at an Abuja High Court over alleged N401 million fraud.
He was however, granted a N5 million bail, with two sureties in like sum thereby escaping prison detention as some party members expressed fears earlier before the court proceedings began.
Yesterday, however, Ogbulafor, along with his co-accused, entered a not-guilty plea before the Abuja High Court, where the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) arraigned them.
The three, who are standing trial with the PDP chairman before Justice Ishaq Bello are Messrs Emeka Ebilah, Henry Ikoh and Jude Nwoko.
It was learnt that Ogbulafor escaped detention only because the judicial officers connected with his case, refused to cooperate with the interested parties bent on having him remanded.
The ICPC had on May 4 obtained leave of the court to slam a 16-count charge for alleged N401 million fraud against Ogbulafor and four others.
The prosecution alleged that Ogbulafor, with the privy of the other accused, embezzled the money when he was the Minister of Special Duties in 2001.
Bello, however, struck out the name of Emmanuel Bosah, who earlier appeared on the charge sheet as the fifth accused because he is deceased.
When the case came up yesterday, counsel to Ogbulafor, Mr. Joe Kyari Gadzama (SAN), prayed the court to grant his client bail on self-recognition, assuring the court that he would not jump bail.
Gadzama had informed the court that Ogbulafor had been granted bail by the ICPC and had not breached the bail terms.
Mr. Awah Kalu (SAN), Chris Uche (SAN) and C.O. Achibe, who appeared for the other three accused, adopted Gadzama’s submissions.
The ICPC did not oppose the bail application, but urged the court to impose conditions that would compel the accused to attend to their trial.
The judge, who ordered an accelerated hearing of the matter, therefore, adjourned the case till June 21, 22, 23 and June 24, respectively for hearing.
National chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Vincent Ogbulafor yesterday was arraigned at an Abuja High Court over alleged N401 million fraud.
He was however, granted a N5 million bail, with two sureties in like sum thereby escaping prison detention as some party members expressed fears earlier before the court proceedings began.
Yesterday, however, Ogbulafor, along with his co-accused, entered a not-guilty plea before the Abuja High Court, where the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) arraigned them.
The three, who are standing trial with the PDP chairman before Justice Ishaq Bello are Messrs Emeka Ebilah, Henry Ikoh and Jude Nwoko.
It was learnt that Ogbulafor escaped detention only because the judicial officers connected with his case, refused to cooperate with the interested parties bent on having him remanded.
The ICPC had on May 4 obtained leave of the court to slam a 16-count charge for alleged N401 million fraud against Ogbulafor and four others.
The prosecution alleged that Ogbulafor, with the privy of the other accused, embezzled the money when he was the Minister of Special Duties in 2001.
Bello, however, struck out the name of Emmanuel Bosah, who earlier appeared on the charge sheet as the fifth accused because he is deceased.
When the case came up yesterday, counsel to Ogbulafor, Mr. Joe Kyari Gadzama (SAN), prayed the court to grant his client bail on self-recognition, assuring the court that he would not jump bail.
Gadzama had informed the court that Ogbulafor had been granted bail by the ICPC and had not breached the bail terms.
Mr. Awah Kalu (SAN), Chris Uche (SAN) and C.O. Achibe, who appeared for the other three accused, adopted Gadzama’s submissions.
The ICPC did not oppose the bail application, but urged the court to impose conditions that would compel the accused to attend to their trial.
The judge, who ordered an accelerated hearing of the matter, therefore, adjourned the case till June 21, 22, 23 and June 24, respectively for hearing.
