Maryam Sagir has filed an application to withdraw as a surety to Olugbenga Obadina, a businessman standing trial for allegedly laundering about N2.4 billion.
Sagir, at the resumed trial of Obadina at the Federal High Court, Abuja on Friday, tendered her application before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba.
Sagir, through her counsel, P. Agunzi, prayed the court to discharge her as Obadina’s surety as he had not kept to the conditions they agreed on.
Aguzi said: “I will like to apply on behalf of my client to withdraw her suretyship and to be discharged from that obligation.
“The defendant since admitted on bail has not kept to the understanding they had as each time efforts are made to reach him, he is not forthcoming.”
The lawyer said that the application was urgent as Obadina was applying for the release of his passport.
Counsel to Obadina, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), said he was not aware of the surety’s intention to withdraw.
Uche said: “It would have been more professional if the application was brought to the notice of the defendant’s counsel since you know that the defendant is represented by counsel.”
Uche also told the court that the defence had agreed for the matter to be adjourned on the health grounds of the prosecutor, Larry Aso.
Aso had earlier told the court that he was unable to prosecute the matter due to ill health.
Dimgba adjourned the matter till February 1 to take the application, as this would enable Obadina get a new surety before then.
He also adjourned the substantive matter till March 1 for continuation of hearing.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arraigned Obadina and his company, Almond Projects Limited on an eight-count charge of criminal breach of trust, corruption and money laundering to the tune of N2.4billion.
Obadina allegedly collected the money, paid into his company’s account in tranches, between 2013 and 2015 from the Office of the National Security Adviser under retired Col. Sambo Dasuki.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
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