From Omoregie Elvis, Benin
An Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City, yesterday, remanded the
Edo State Woman Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Dr.
Aisosa Amadasun in prison custody over alleged contract scam.
She was remanded alongside four others for allegedly using their
offices while serving as board members of the Edo State Universal
Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to award contracts to their cronies
after collecting money from them, an act punishable under section 98b
(1) (a) (II) of the Criminal Code, CAP. 48, the Laws of Bendel State
of Nigeria, as applicable to Edo State.
The accused persons are Dr. Aisosa Amadasun, Adama Osabuohien, Prince
Stephen Alao and two others.
They however pleaded not guilty to the 50 counts charges leveled
against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Counsel to EFCC, Dr. Ben Udi argued that the accused persons be
remanded in prison custody to enable him study their bail
applications.
“Five applications were served on me today and I needed time to study
them. Therefore, I pray the court to remand them in prison custody to
enable me study the documents”, he said.
The defense counsel to the third and fourth accused persons, Barr.
Ohio Candy, argued that their offense is bailable and not a capital
offense.
He argued that a speedy bail would grant the accused persons the
opportunity to prepare their case.
He argued that the era of technical justice was over and that the
court should use its discretion to grant the accused persons bail.
Defender to the first accused person, Barr. Ivie Fidelis pleaded the
court to grant the accused persons bail considering their age and
health status.
“Most of them are above 50 years and most of them have health
challenges especially the first accused person who was abducted this
year.
“I plead that the court should consider their age and health status
because if anyone fails down and die, who will continue the case?, he
asked.
Having listened to their arguments, the presiding judge, Justice
Ohimai Ovbiagele ordered that the accused persons be remanded in
prison till October 9, 2017.
He however adjoined the case to 26 and 27 October, 2017.