Alleged N3.5bn Fraud: Court Grants N250m Bail To Saraki’s Aide, Others

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday granted bail in the sum of N250 million each to Gbenga Makanjuola, an aide to Senate President Bukola Saraki and others, standing trial alongside over N3.5 billion fraud.

The defence counsel, Mr Paul Erekoro, had argued the bail application on behalf of the accused.

He urged the court to admit the accused to bail on liberal terms, adding that he will be available to stand trial.

Other defence counsel also aligned themselves with the application for bail.


The presiding judge, Justice Babs Kuewumi held that as a matter of law, the court possessed discretion in granting bail, which must be exercised judicially and judiciously.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had preferred an 11-count fraud charge against Makanjuola, a Deputy Chief of Staff to Saraki, Melrose General Services Limited, and Obiorah Amobi.

In the charge, the accused were alleged to have committed the offence in December 2016.

The EFCC claimed that the accused conspired to disguise the unlawful origin of the sum of N3.5 billion paid into the account of Melrose General Services Ltd and therefore committed an offence contrary to section  18 of the money laundering Prohibition act and punishable under section 15(3) of the same act

They accused have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Justice Babs Kuewumi adjourned the case to December 4 for trial.