Jide Omokore: docked today

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrainged oil magnate, Jide Omokore on nine count charges of money to the tune of $1.6 billion.

Omokore, an associate of Dieziani Allison Madueke, a former Nigeria petroleum minister, was arraigned before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja alongside Victor Briggs, Abiye Memnere, David Mbanefo, Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited and Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts Limited on Monday.

The other defendants are former managers in Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.

The defedants pleaded not guilty to the nine count charges.

The court however struck out two defendants, Kola Aluko, an associate of Omokore and Mrs Dieziani Allison Madueke despite protests by the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs.

Justice Nyako said there must be evidence of service on the two defendants before they can be included in the charges.

After their pleas were taken,  lawyers to the accused ask the court to grant their clients bail on favourable terms.

The prosecution counsel did not oppose the bail application, but asked the court to stipulate terms that will compel the defendants to contnue to attend trial.

Justice Nyako granted the defendants bail in the sum of N50 million each with one surety in like sum.

The Judge said the sureties must own landed properties or senior public servants.

Justice Nyako also ruled that all the sureties should depose to affidavit of means while the defendants are to deposit all their passports with the court.

The trial has been adjourned to 19 and 20 October.

Details later