BY COBHAM NSA, ABUJA – Respite came the way of former Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Babachir Lawal as the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday granted him bail over the alleged grass-cutting contract scam
The anti-graft agency had on Tuesday, February 12, 2019 arraigned Lawal over the use of a company allegedly owned by him to get rid of what he termed ‘invasive grass’ at the cost of over N272 million.
The decision is coming 24 hours after the Court ordered that the sacked SGF be remanded in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s custody until the hearing on his bail application.
The anti-graft agency had on Tuesday, February 12, 2019 arraigned Lawal over the use of a company allegedly owned by him to get rid of what he termed ‘invasive grass’ at the cost of over N272 million.
Lawal pleaded not guilty to the 10 count charges the EFCC brought against him that border on alleged conspiracy and fraudulent acquisition of property.
However, convinced by the Defence counsel’s submissions on the bail application, the court granted the ex-SGF Lawal and two others bail in the sums of N50m each, with one surety each who must possess titles to lands within the jurisdiction of the court.
The sureties must show evidence of payment of tax for the past three years and must be residents within the Court’s jurisdiction.
Also, the court ordered the former SGF and the two others to deposit their international passports with the court pending the fulfillment of their bail conditions.
The case has been adjourned till March 18, 2019 with the court directing that the accused persons must remain in EFCC’s custody until their bail conditions have been fulfilled.
