The Abuja High Court in Maitama has approved a bail of N500 million for Dr. Akintoye Akindele, a Lagos-based businessman accused of attempting to bribe the Nigeria Police Force with N50 million. Trial Justice Hamza Muazu granted the defendant’s release on bail, rejecting a request from the police to keep him in custody while investigations continue.
The police, represented by lawyer Mr. Simon Lough, had asked the court to detain the defendant, who pleaded not guilty to the one-count bribery charge. The charge, filed under CR/595/2023, alleged that Akindele attempted to bribe officers investigating a case of funds diversion against him. It was claimed that he aimed to escape the country.
Mr. Henry Eni-Otu, Akindele’s lawyer, argued that the charge was bailable, and Justice Muazu agreed, ruling that the charge didn’t warrant denying bail. Akindele was granted bail of N500 million with two sureties of the same amount, one of whom must reside in Abuja and own property in the jurisdiction. Additionally, he was required to surrender his international passport.
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As the case is unlikely to conclude within the vacation period, the casefile will be returned to the Chief Judge for reassignment. The trial judge emphasized that the charge was not strong enough to warrant continued detention.
In summary, the Abuja High Court has allowed the release of Dr. Akintoye Akindele on N500 million bail. He faced allegations of attempting to bribe the police with N50 million, but the court ruled that the charge wasn’t sufficient to deny bail.
