An FCT High Court on Thursday remanded the former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, and three defendants in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission until January 27, pending bail applications.
The Federal Government on Thursday arraigned Adoke on 42 counts of fraud and money laundering.
Adoke was arraigned at Gwagwalada Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja alongside six others.
They, however, pleaded not guilty to the 42 counts of fraud and money laundering.
The six other defendants are Aliyu Abubakar, Rasky Gbinigie, Malabu Oil and Gas Limited, Nigeria Agip Exploration Limited, Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep limited and Shell Nigeria Exploration Production Limited.
After taking their plea, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The EFCC Counsel, Bala Sanga,applied that the first defendant, Adoke; second defendant, Aliyu Abubakar, and third defendant, Rasky Gbinigie, be remanded at the Correctional Center Kuje.
Kanu Agabi (SAN), lead counsel to Adoke, through Mike Ezeokhome, moved for the bail application.
The Prosecution counsel objected to the application on the grounds that he was just served with the bail applications on Wednesday.
Wole Olanipekun (SAN), counsel for Abubakar, and Mahmud Magaji (SAN), counsel for the third defendant Rasky Gbinigie also pleaded with the court to remand their clients in EFCC detention facility instead of Kuje Correctional Centre.
In his ruling, Justice Abubakar Kutigi adjourned the matter until January 27 to hear the bail application of the former minister and other defendants.
Meanwhile he ordered that the defendants should be remanded in EFCC detention facility until January 27.