Justice P.I Adjokwu of the Federal High Court sitting in Benin-City has remanded former PDP governorship candidate in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and four others in prison over alleged fraud.
Others remanded in prison alongside him are Chief Dan Orbih, a former Deputy Governor, Mr, Lucky Imasuen, a former member of the House of Representatives, Tony Azegbemi and Efe Anthony.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had charged the defendants on 8-counts bordering on fraud to the tune N700 million on Thursday.
However, they pleaded not guilty and the judge granted them bail.
However, the judge ordered them remanded in prison pending when they will fulfil their bail conditions.
Counsel to Ize-Iyamu, Charles Edosomwan (SAN) had asked the court to remand his client in the custody of the EFCC, a plea Justice Adjokwu rejected.
Ize-Iyamu, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), contested the 2016 gubernatorial election in Edo state against Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and lost