By Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja on Friday has ordered the release of the senator representing Borno South senatorial district, Ali Ndume.
Ndume was remanded in Kuje correctional facility on Monday, November 23 over his suretyship in the case of Abdulrasheed Maina, former Chairman, defunct Pension Reformed Task Team (PRTT) who is presently under trial over allegations of money laundering. Maina was reported to have jumped bail.
The lawmaker had stood as a surety for the defendant on May 5, 2020 with a bail bond of N500 million.
In his judgement, Justice Abang said the decision of the court to free Ndume was due to his record of good behaviour. Though, the other grounds of his bail application failed.
The lawmaker was ordered by the court to produce one surety who must be a resident of Abuja and present evidence of ownership of property anywhere in Abuja.
Justice Abang added that the surety must indicate his readiness to forfeit the bail guaranty by means of a sworn affidavit in case the senator jumps bail.
Also, he ordered Ndume to file an undertaking that he would compile records of appeal and transmit it to the Court of Appeal within 10 days. Such must be done in a way the court wants him to demonstrate his readiness to prosecute his appeal.
