Alleged N36bn fraud: Court grants Turaki bail from EFCC custody

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting at Jabi, on Thursday, granted bail to former Governor of Jigawa State, Ibrahim Saminu Turaki from custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Ibrahim Saminu Turaki

Justice Yusuf Halilu ordered the ex-governor who was arrested by the anti-graft agency at a public function in Abuja on July 4, to produce two sureties.

According to the court, the two sureties must be FCT residents with a verifiable means of livelihood.

Besides, it directed the former governor to surrender all his international passports, stressing that he must report to the EFCC every two weeks to sign a register.

Justice Halilu ordered that the register should be open till the court resume from its ongoing annual vacation.

Turaki, who EFCC insisted was arrested on the strength of a bench warrant it said was issued by the Federal High Court sitting in Dutse, Jigawa State, since in 2014, approached the court, begging it to order his release from detention.

In a fundamental right enforcement suit he lodged through his lawyer, Mr. Olusegun Jolaawo, the embattled ex-governor accused EFCC of violating his rights.

He argued that the anti-graft agency has kept him in its custody beyond the 48 hours that was approved by the 1999 constitution, as amended.

The applicant told the court that his health had badly deteriorated, saying he had health challenges that required proper medical attention.

Meanwhile, EFCC lawyer, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, vehemently opposed the application, insisting that the former governor will escape from the country once he is released from detention.

Abubakar told the court that EFCC had in 2007, preferred money laundering charges against the applicant and arraigned him before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court.