From Layi Olanrewaju, Ilorin
The Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State, has vacated the bench warrant issued for the arrest of the state’s former Commissioner for Finance, Demola Banu.
The warrant was granted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) based on allegations that Banu, the second defendant, had refused to appear in court.
However, at the commencement of the hearing between the EFCC and the state’s former governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed (first defendant), and Banu, Justice Evelyn Nmasinulo granted a request by Banu’s lead counsel, Gboyega Oyewole, SAN, to vacate the warrant as Banu was present in court.
The defendants were charged with eleven counts of financial impropriety while in office, to which they both pleaded not guilty.
Banu’s counsel then sought bail for his client, which was granted at N5 million with two sureties under the same conditions.
He also requested an adjournment to enable him to file documents for his client’s defense.
Justice Nmasinulo adjourned further proceedings to June 25 and 26.
Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Oyewole stated, “We vacated the bench warrant issued for the arrest of our client because it was wrongly issued. We secured an adjournment to the 25th and 26th with a N5 million bail granted and two sureties in like sum.”