Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday granted Senator Shehu Sani N10 million bail.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Sani, who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th Senate, on two counts bordering on bribery and advance fee fraud.
He pleaded “not guilty” to both charges.
Counsel to the accused, Abdul Ibrahim, who moved the bail application, urged the court to grant his client bail.
The lawyer said that his client would not interfere with witnesses as feared by the prosecution.
The prosecuting counsel, Abba Mohammed, prayed the court to refuse the bail application, noting that if granted bail the accused could attempt to interfere with witnesses.
Ruling on the bail application, Justice Ekwo said, “The defendant having taken plea on the two-count charge has applied for bail.
“I have studied the processes relating to the bail.
“The power to grant or refuse bail is at the discretion of the court.
“I have also weighed the case to see where it is weighty against his bail.
“There is no weighty or gravity of circumstances against the exercise of the court to grant bail to the defendant (Shehu Sani).
“Consequently, I make an order granting bail in the sum of N10m.
“The defendant should produce a responsible citizen and land property owner to be verified by the court registry.
“The defendant should deposit his international passport to the registry of court that should inform the Immigration authority.
“The defendant shall not travel with the leave of the court and should remain under the custody of the EFCC until he meets his bail condition”.
The case was adjourned till February 24, 25 and 26 for commencement of trial.
The EFCC said Shehu Sani collected $15,000 from Sani Dauda, the CEO of ASD Motors, under false pretence on November 20, 2019, promising to give Justice Tanko Mohammad, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, to influence some pending cases in court.
Sani also allegedly collected $10,000 from Dauda to bribe Ibrahim Magu, Acting Chairman of the EFCC.
The senator had been in the custody of the anti-grant commission since his arrest on Tuesday, December 31.
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