Court Grants Bail to Whistle Blower on Ekweremadu

Alex Enumah in Abuja

An Abuja Upper Area Court sitting in Gudu district on Monday admitted Ahmed Echodo, standing trial for allegedly providing false information to the police to bail in the sum of N500,000 and a surety.
The Inspector General of Police (IG) last week Tuesday docked

Echodo, who is said to be 50 years old and resides at No. 44, Living Truth Street, Masaaka, Nassarawa State, and was arraigned on a one-count charge for allegedly providing the police with false information that led to the raid of the official guest house of the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, in Maitama, Abuja on May 27, 2017.

Delivering ruling on the bail application yesterday, Hon. Umar Yusuf Kagarako held that the offence allegedly committed by the defendant is bailable and that the defendant is entitled to bail.
“I hereby grant the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 and a surety who must have a fixed address and resident within the jurisdiction of the Upper Area Court,” he stated.
The police had accused Echodo and one Maiwa Adamu who is at large for giving it misleading information that led to a raid on Ekweremadu’s guest house in Abuja.

Echedo, however denied the charge.
According the Police First Information Report (FIR), “That on May 26, 2017, at about 0900hrs, you Ahmed Echodo ‘m’ aged 50 years of No. 44, Living Truth Street, Masaaka, Nassarawa State and one Maiwada Adamu now at large did conspired within yourself and informed the office of IG, STS at Guzepe Area of Abuja, that house No. 10 Ganges street, Maitama, Abuja, occupied by Oliver Ogenyi is being maintained and used for criminal activities including keeping of arms and ammunition.”

The offence, according to the Prosecution Police officer, David Taiwo, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), is contrary to section 97(1) and 140 of the Penal Code Law.

After the ruling yesterday, the defence lawyer, Peters Ugwuoke, asked the court to direct the prosecutor to furnish the defendant with the proof of evidence to enable him prepare his defence. The court obliged the request and directed the prosecution to serve the defendant with the proof of evidence.

Kagarako has adjourned trial to July 20, 2017.