The
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday arraigned, AVM
Rufus Ojuawo, in an FCT High Court, Apo, for collecting N40 million gift and a
Range Rover sports car from Hima Abubakar.
Mr.
Ojuawo, a former Director of Operations, Nigerian Air Force, was arraigned
before Justice Mahawiya Idris on a two-count charge.
The
charge says Mr. Ojuawo while in office in March, 2015, accepted a gift in the
aggregate sum of N40 million from Abubakar of Societe D’ Equipments
Internationaux Nig. Ltd.
It
stated that the defendant also received a Range Rover Sports Supercharged car
valued at N29, 250, 000 from Mr. Abubakar, who was a contractor with the
Nigerian Airforce through Coscharis Motors Ltd.
The
offence contravenes Section 17(a) of the Independent Corrupt Practices and
other related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under Section 17(c) of the same
Act.
The
defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
EFCC
counsel Francis Jirbo applied for a date to open his case, and urged the court
to remand Mr. Ojuawo in prison custody.
But
Defence counsel, Ralph Ojabo, opposed the application, saying that he had an
application for bail dated June 3 pending in the court.
Mr.
Jirbo objected to Ojabo’s motion, saying that no date had been fixed for the
hearing.
Mr.
Ojabo however reminded the court that the applicable law in criminal
proceedings was the Administrative of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA)
He
moved his motion, supported by a 28 paragraph affidavit, and urged the court to
grant bail on liberal terms
According
to him, the defendant is a serving General of the Nigerian Air Force and
will
diligently attend trial.
Mr.
Jirbo opposed the bail citing the nature of the offence, the severity of the
punishment if convicted as reasons.
He
also cited availability for trial, health of the defendant and if the nature of
the evidence points directly to the defendant as other reasons.
He
further said with the proof of evidence against the defendant he had a high
propensity to jump bail.
According
to him, the offence against him is rampant and if granted bail will encourage
others.
He
said the affidavit did not contain any material for the court to exercise its
discretion to his favour, and urged the court to refuse bail as a criteria and
not as a punishment.
In
his ruling, the judge Justice Idris said that denial of bail could not be used
to punish the defendant before his trial.
He
admitted him to bail in the sum of N10 million with one surety that must be a
civil servant not below the rank of Assistant Director.
The
judge said the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, and
adjourned the case till Sept. 15 for trial.
Source: NAN
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