A Lagos State High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square has granted bail to a lawyer, Emmanuel Umukoro, and one Taiwo Aribe, who were arraigned for allegedly defrauding a man of N10,800,000.
Justice Adesanya admitted Umukoro, the first defendant, to bail on self-recognisance after he told the court that he was called to the Nigerian Bar between 1988 and 1989.
The second defendant, Aribe, was granted bail in the sum of N5m, with two sureties in like sum.
The judge directed that one of the sureties must be a blood relation and that both must reside within Lagos State.
She also ordered that the sureties must show evidence of means of livelihood and provide income tax clearance for the last two years preceding the previous year, as required by the Lagos State Government.
Aribe was released to his counsel pending the perfection of the bail conditions, which must be met within 14 days.
The two defendants were arraigned before the court on two counts bordering on conspiracy and stealing, brought against them by the Lagos State government.
According to the prosecution counsel, Mr. Olayemi Shofolu, the offences were committed in 2007 when the defendants allegedly conspired with others who are still at large to steal N10.8m, from one George Anogiroye.
The alleged fraud was said to have taken place in Lagos.
Shofolu stated that the offences contravened Sections 411 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following their plea, the defence counsel, Mr K.A. Awoma and Mr R.O. Ohioya, moved applications for bail on behalf of their clients.
Awoma told the court that the bail summons for the first defendant was dated March 17, 2025, and supported by a 24-paragraph affidavit.
Ohioya said the second defendant’s summons, dated May 25, 2025, was supported by a 26-paragraph affidavit. He urged the court to grant bail in liberal terms.
While the prosecutor did not oppose the bail applications, he urged the court to impose conditions that would guarantee the defendants’ appearance for trial.
Before the charges were read, the defence informed the court that they had filed a preliminary objection, arguing that the case constituted an abuse of court process.
The case was adjourned until November 25, 2025, for trial and hearing of the preliminary objection.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
