[Adesewa]

   
Federal High Court sitting in Katsina has granted bail to the former Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema following his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC over alleged money laundering of N5.7billion SURE-P Funds.
The presiding judge, Justice Babagana Ashigar on Friday granted the bail to the former governor on self cognizance as a public figure. While granting the bail, Ashigar said the Shema must deposit his international passport with the registry of the court. It will be recalled that Shema was on Tuesday remanded in the EFCC custody following the court order
Earlier at the proceeding on Friday, the Prosecution Counsel, Joseph Olatoke SAN had expressed fear that if the bail application was granted to the defendant, he would escape saying Shema had already gone to the Federal High court, Abuja to ask for the retrieve of his international passport to enable him travel out of the country. Shema’s counsel, Joseph Daudu SAN debunked the argument of the EFCC counsel saying the fact that Shema wa requesting for his international passport did not mean that he would jump the bail.
The presiding judge, Ashigar however adjourned the case till 13th June, 2018 for hearing and for the defendant to comply with the conditions.
Meanwhile, Shema who was arraigned by the EFCC on 26-count charges had pleaded not guilty.