N550m rice theft: Lebanese, eight Nigerians await bail ruling

The Federal High Court on Monday in Abuja reserved August 15 for
ruling in bail applications filed by a Lebanese national and eight
Nigerians, charged for allegedly diverting bags of rice worth N550
million.
Justice Sylvester Chukwu reserved the date after the parties made
submissions and counter submissions on the applications.
The Inspector-General of Police on August 7 arraigned Bassam Abood,
the Lebanese, as well as Kelechi Madukanya, Amadi Richard and Enyi
Christopher, Godwin Edet, Samuel Abeh, Chiwendu Ekete, John Abbah and
Daniel Onuoha.
The accused allegedly conspired among themselves and obtained 5,055
bags of rice valued at N550 million from Port Harcourt-based Cem
Nigeria Limited between February and March.
They denied knowledge of the allegation as all of them earlier pleaded
not guilty to the charge.
According to the charge, the accused persons are likely to serve up to
three years in prison if found guilty, having contravened the
provision of the advanced fee fraud and other fraud-related Acts.
Earlier, David Aliko, counsel to Abood, Madukanya and Richard, led
other defendants’ counsel to urge the court to grant their clients
bail.
According to the counsel, the charge filed against the accused is
“frivolous and unsubstantiated”.
They submitted that Cem Nigeria Limited, the nominal complainant,
could not link the applicants directly to the alleged missing goods.
Aliko and the other defendants’ counsel prayed the court to use its
discretional powers to grant the accused persons a mitigated bail
term, adding that “they are prepared to stand trial”.
The other defendants’ counsel, Clifford Eze, Vitalis Ero, Nwosu Nwosu
and Maxwell Alaeto, aligned themselves with Aliko’s affidavit in
supporting their submissions.
However, Samuel Malu, counsel to the prosecution, in his counter
affidavit, prayed the court to discountenance the applications.
Malu said: “My Lord, investigation has yet to be completed as one of
the accused persons is still at large.
“My Lord, I vehemently oppose the bail applications because the
applicants have the capacity to interfere with the pending
investigation.”