Ex-NSITF boss, Olejeme gets bail after 24 hours in EFCC custody

Justice Maryam Hassan Aliyu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Jabi, Abuja, on Friday admitted former Director of Finance of the defunct President Goodluck Jonathan’s Campaign Organization, Dr Ngozi Olejeme, to bail after 24 hours in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Olejeme, who was a former Chairman of the Board of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), is standing trial in an alleged N3 billion fraud charge brought against her by the Federal Government.

She was on Thursday October 21 arraigned before the judge during which she denied committing the alleged offences and was ordered to be remanded in EFCC custody pending her bail application.

Ruling on her bail application on Friday, the judge adopted the administrative bail conditions earlier set by the anti-graft agency to admit the defendant to the court bail.

The bail granted her by EFCC through two sureties who are Deputy Directors was ordered by the judge to be continued.

However, Justice Maryam Hassan Aliyu ordered that her traveling passport must be deposited with the Registrar.

The judge subsequently fixed November 8 for trial of the offences brought against her.

Olejeme was on Thursday October 21 arraigned on a nine-count charge in which she was accused of abusing her office, receiving bribes, awarding contracts without due process among others

Her lawyer, Chief Paul Erokoro (SAN), had applied for bail, which the prosecuting lawyer, Steve Odiase, did not oppose but insisted that she must be granted conditional bail, requiring that she presents a surety.