EFCC: Court grant N100million bail to Ex-Rivers REC

Justice Sailu Saidu of the Federal High court in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital yesterday, granted bail to the former Rivers state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Gesilia Khan, in the tune of N100million with two sureties.

The Court said, one of the sureties will be a traditional ruler who must be resident in the state and own a landed property of like sum within Port Harcourt, while the second person must be a civil servant of not lower than a Director, in either the state or Federal civil service but must resident in the state.

The two sureties also must produce two passport photographs and swear an affidavit of means; the court registrar should verify the sureties before she would be allowed to proceed home.

The former REC is being tried by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), for allegedly obtaining a gratification to the tune of over N180 million from yet to be named person (s), while serving as the state REC, during the 2015 general elections.

It would be recalled that one Peter Popnin, an ex-staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), who was arrested with Khan for allegedly assisted her in receiving the said gratification, was granted bail on Wednesday June 7, in the tune of N100 million with two sureties.

Earlier, the prosecution (EFCC), had opposed the bail application by Counsel to the former REC, Selekeowei Larry, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and called for accelerated hearing.

However, the matter has been adjourned till July 5, 2017 for hearing.

Speaking with The AUTHORITY, at the court premises, the defence Counsel, Selekeowei Larry (SAN), appreciate the court for its decision to grant his client bail knowing the effort in the service of the nation.

Larry said they are ready even if the court had approved the accelerated hearing as requested by the prosecution.

He said: “I asked that my client be granted bail based on her self-esteem, given the kind of woman she is.  She is a woman of honour as far as her service to this nation is concern. The conditions of the bail, I will not say is harsh but we will try to see how we comply to them and I hope we will meet up with that but where we fail, we will know what next to do.

“What I expect of a Judge of his standing is that we get fair hearing. They requested for accelerated hearing but did not come with their witness. We are ready for hearing if they are also.”