Doyin Okupe,
Mr Okupe was brought before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of a Federal High Court, Maitama, along with two companies, Value Trust Investment Ltd and Abrahams Telecoms Ltd allegedly involved in the commission of the fraud.
He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Upon his plea, the prosecuting counsel, Ibrahim Audu, asked for a date for commencement of the trial.
However, Okupe’s counsel, Tolu Babaleiye, through a motion on notice dated December 17, 2018, prayed the court to admit the defendant to bail.
Mr Babaleiye urged the court to admit the defendant to bail on self-recognisance adding that “he will not jump bail as he is well known.”
While responding to the application, Mr Audu argued that “the defendant was given administrative bail after he volunteered his statement, thereafter, he was nowhere to be found until December 2018 in Lagos.”
After listening to all the arguments, Justice Ojukwu granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N100m with one surety in like sum.
The trial judge said: “The surety must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court, and must depose to an affidavit of means, must have landed properties which must also be within the jurisdiction of the court.
“Must submit to the court tax clearance papers from 2016 to 2018, also have a recent passport photograph. The surety and defendant must deposit their international passport to the court. The documents are to be deposited with the Deputy Chief Registrar Litigation of the court.”
The judge, thereafter, adjourned till February 27, 28 and March 6, 2019, for trial.
