Again, Bode George loses bail bid

Also jailed alongside the former PDP chieftain are former NPA Managing Director, Architect Aminu Dabo, Captain O. Abidoye, Alhaji Abdullahi Tafida, Alhaji Zanna Maidaribe and Engineer Sule Aliyu. In her judgment, Presiding Justice, Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, Justice Clara Bata Ogunbiyi, posited that the appeal lacked merit and upheld Justice Oyewole’s judgment. “The judgment […]

Also jailed alongside the former PDP chieftain are former NPA Managing Director, Architect Aminu Dabo, Captain O. Abidoye, Alhaji Abdullahi Tafida, Alhaji Zanna Maidaribe and Engineer Sule Aliyu. In her judgment, Presiding Justice, Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, Justice Clara Bata Ogunbiyi, posited that the appeal lacked merit and upheld Justice Oyewole’s judgment. “The judgment of Justice Joseph Oyewole delivered on 26th October, 2009 is hereby affirmed. The appeal fails. We hold that the appeal is lacking in merit and it is accordingly dismissed.”

Two other justices on the panel, Justice Raphael Agbo and Adamu Jauro, concurred with Ogunbiyi’s verdict. The court raised four issues for determination, which were all resolved in favour of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after reviewing the arguments of the counsel. The court held that even if anybody must complain, they ought to have done so at the point of arraignment when the charges were read out to them.

On the final issue raised for determination by the court on whether the trial court was not in error in not returning a separate judgment for each count, the court held   that “the appellants were found guilty collectively.” The appellate court added that the appellant did not show or prove how there was a miscarriage of justice in the judgment, adding that the lower court entered a separate judgment in regard to the accused person.