The Lagos Special Offences Court, sitting in Ikeja, on Monday refused to grant the bail application filed by one Samuel Ihechukwu Asiegbu , a staff of WEMA Bank Plc, currently facing trial for allegedly swindling the bank to the tune of N8,568,090,500 billion.
Justice Rahman Oshodi, the trial judge handling the matter, held that the proof of evidence before the court is weighty, adding that the defendant might not be available for trial.
The defendant, Samuel Ihechukwu Asiegbu, is standing trial alongside Ejim Kingsley Kelechi and Onyeimachi Fabian.
Other defendants include Hamzat Zakariya, Achonu Chukwuka Ubaka, Sunday Osademe and Nurudeen Ibrahim, whose bail application succeeded, except the first defendant.
The defendants are charged to court over alleged conspiracy, unauthorised access of computer system and stealing of N8,568,090,500 billion from WEMA Bank.
The court also adjourned hearing of the plea bargain agreement of the first, fourth, fifth and sixth defendants to September 19.
Prior to Monday’s proceedings, the court had adjourned to rule on the defendants’ bail applications.
However, M. K Bashir, the Prosecution Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, had informed Justice Oshodi that during the court’s vacation, the agency received applications for plea bargain agreement from the first, fourth, fifth and sixth defendants.
Bashir added that the applications were approved, except application for the fourth defendant which is still pending approval.
The prosecution counsel urged the court to give earliest possible date for hearing of the plea bargain agreement.
Victoria Aniohu, counsel to the first and fifth defendants; Nnamdi Anoka, counsel to the fourth defendant and M. H. Oba-Temi counsel to the sixth defendant confirmed the position to the court.
Meanwhile, Dr. Benson Enikuomehin, counsel to second defendant was absent in court.
Having considered various applications filed by the defendants’ counsels and counter responses by the prosecution counsel, the court held, “Regarding the first defendant’s, application for bail is refused.
“I am not satisfied that the first defendant has presented sufficient evidence to justify the grant of bail.
“I am satisfied that the second to seventh defendants should be granted bail subject to appropriate conditions, the Judge held.
Ruling on the pending bail applications, Justice Oshodi granted bail to the second to seventh defendants in the sum of N50 million, with two responsible sureties in the like sum who must depose to affidavit and provide means of proof of gainful employment within jurisdiction of the court.
He held: “The second, fourth, and sixth defendants, being holders of valid international passports, shall surrender the same to the chief registrar of this court.
“The third, fifth, and seventh defendants, not possessing valid international passports, shall provide written undertaking not to apply for or obtain any travel document without the prior leave of this court, and without the dependency of this court.
“The court registrar shall notify the Nigeria Immigration Service of the submission of the passport, and the conditions requiring the undertaking, depending the determination of this case.
The judge stated further that “All the sureties shall be placed in state shelter maintained by the Lagos State judiciary.”
He added, “These sureties shall produce evidence of tax paid to Lagos State within the last three years.
“These sureties shall sign an undertaking, consenting to the placement of the debt on their bank account to the limit of the due sum, pending the final determination of the case before this court.
“The Chief Registrar of this court shall verify all bail conditions.
“Regarding the first defendant, application for bail is refused. I direct that the matter be placed on an accelerated hearing to ensure early trial of the charges against all the defendants.
Justice Oshodi however adjourned for further hearing till September 19, 2025.
