Maryam Sagir has filed an application to withdraw as a surety to Olugbenga Obadina, a businessman standing trial for allegedly laundering about N2.4 billion.
Mrs. Sagir, at the resumed trial of Mr. Obadina at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday tendered her application before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba.
Through her counsel, P. Agunzi, Mrs. Sagir prayed the court to discharge her as Mr. Obadina’s surety, as he had not kept to the conditions they agreed on.
“I will like to apply on behalf of my client to withdraw her surety ship and to be discharged from that obligation.
“The defendant since admitted on bail has not kept to the understanding they had as each time efforts are made to reach him, he is not forth coming.”
The lawyer said that the application was urgent as Mr. Obadina was applying for the release of his passport.
Counsel to Mr. Obadina, Chris Uche, said he was not aware of the surety’s intention to withdraw.
“It would have been more professional if the application was brought to the notice of the defendant’s counsel since you know that the defendant is represented by counsel,” Mr. Uche said.
Mr. Uche also told the court that the defence had agreed for the matter to be adjourned on the health grounds of the prosecutor, Larry Aso.
Mr. Aso had earlier told the court that he was unable to prosecute the matter due to ill health.
Justice Dimgba adjourned the matter till February 1 to take the application, as this would enable Mr. Obadina get a new surety before then.
He also adjourned the substantive matter till March 1 for continuation of hearing.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, arraigned Mr. Obadina and his company, Almond Projects Limited on an eight-count charge of criminal breach of trust, corruption and money laundering to the tune of N2.4billion.
Mr. Obadina allegedly collected the money, paid into his company’s account in tranches, between 2013 and 2015 from the Office of the National Security Adviser under retired Sambo Dasuki, in a scandal popularly known as #Dasukigate
He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
(NAN)
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