The Judge mandated that the Kombowei be held in the Kuje detention facility until his bail requirements of N50 million, with two sureties contributing the same amount were fulfilled.
Senator Benson Konbowei (PDP, Bayelsa Central), has been remanded in prison by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court located in Apo, Abuja.
In the suit filed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) with the file number CR/028/2023, Senator Kombowei is faced with a three-count charge of falsifying a July 4, 2008, document titled “Certificate of Exemption” and bearing the number 000256454.
According to the police, the senator violated sections 366, 156, and 158 of the Penal Code Act, CAP 532 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990, and section 364 of the law imposes penalties on him.
Konbowei was arraigned on Tuesday before Christopher Oba, a judge, and pleaded not guilty.
The senator was permitted to leave court and his bail application hearing was rescheduled for Thursday.
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At the resumed hearing on Thursday, Rubben Egwaba, the prosecution counsel, opposed Konbowei’s bail application on grounds that Kombowei would tamper with his trial if granted bail.
“When the charge was filed, the defendant took several steps to interfere with the matter.
“He also wrote a lot of petitions against me to truncate the matter. We urge my lord to refuse the application,” Egwaba said.
Gordy Uche, Konbowei’s lawyer, prayed the court to grant his client bail, assuring that the lawmaker would not jump bail.
The judge decided to grant the senator N50 million in bail, with two sureties contributing the same amount.
The Judge ruled that the sureties had to be landed property owners in the Federal Capital Territory with certificates of occupancy.
However, the Judge mandated that the senator be held in the Kuje detention facility until his bail requirements were fulfilled
The defendant’s attorney requested orally that he draft an undertaking requiring the senator to appear in court until his bail was perfected, but he was turned down.
The Judge thereafter adjourned the hearing to June 24, 25, and 27.
STAR Check: Nigerians, particularly, constituents of Bayelsa Central district, can keep tabs on the legislative performance of Sen. Kombowei throughout the 10th senate here.
