Rep. Nicholas Mutu, former Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) and Gas Resources, was on Monday hauled up at a Federal High Court, Abuja, for N320 million fraud.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges while the lawyer to the EFCC, Mr Ekele Iheanacho, urged the court to fix a date for commencement of trial.
He asked the court to also remand the defendant in prison custody pending trial.
Mutu’s lawyer, Mr Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), urged the court to release the defendant to him but the request was vehemently opposed by the prosecution on the grounds that the defendant had been evasive and refused to report to the commission’s office in line with the administrative bail granted him on August 16, 2018, after his arrest on allegations bordering on corruption.
He argued that since the bail was taken by his former lawyer, Mr Anthony Ikoli (SAN), the defendant had refused to report to the commission’s office despite several demands.
Justice Giwa-Ogunbanjo, however, noted that since there was no motion for bail in the court record, Ikwueto should file the bail application before the close of work.
The judge, who took into consideration the fear expressed by the prosecution on the availability of the defendant in court, also considered the defence counsel’s argument.
She noted that bail is at the discretion of the court and that the offence for which the defendant was standing trial was bailable.
The judge then granted the plea of the defence counsel and ordered that the defendant should continue to enjoy the previous administrative bail granted to him by the EFCC during the investigation.
“I will give him the benefit of doubt.”
Giwa-Ogunbanjo ordered Ikwueto to file the application for bail and serve the prosecution before the next adjournment.
Hearing has been adjourned until February 25.
Meanwhile, EFCC operatives re-arrested Mutu and whisked him away to their office outside the court.
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