Political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has criticised the bail conditions granted to businessman Tunde Ayeni by the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, describing them as excessively stringent and capable of eroding public confidence in the judiciary.
Frank, in a statement on Thursday, alleged that the bail terms imposed by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the FCT High Court sitting in Apo were unprecedented and politically motivated.
He claimed that one of the conditions required a surety to provide a bank guarantee of N15 billion — the amount involved in the charge before the court — with an undertaking that the sum would be forfeited to the Federal Government if the defendant absconded.
According to him, such conditions were unusual for bailable offences and compared unfavourably with bail terms granted to other high-profile defendants facing corruption-related charges.
“It is surprising to hear of such a condition, as it appears highly unusual and capable of bringing shame to our judicial process,” Frank said.
The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, alleged that the Presidency was influencing the matter, insisting that several former public office holders facing corruption allegations involving huge sums had secured bail on less stringent conditions.
Frank cited former governors Ifeanyi Okowa and Yahaya Bello as examples of defendants who, according to him, were granted more favourable bail terms despite the scale of allegations against them.
He expressed concern that politics was increasingly influencing the nation’s justice system and warned against actions capable of undermining the independence of the judiciary.
The activist further urged the National Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the bail conditions in order to protect public trust in the judicial process.
“The Nigerian criminal justice system must resist the temptation to equate allegations with guilt. Courts are constitutionally obligated to remain the final guardians of liberty, not silent collaborators in pre-conviction punishment,” he stated.
Frank also called on the international community to pay attention to the matter, warning that perceived compromise of the rule of law could negatively affect investor confidence in the country.
He maintained that the offences against Ayeni were bailable and noted that Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution presumes every defendant innocent until proven guilty.
According to him, Ayeni had indicated readiness to face trial and should therefore be allowed adequate opportunity to prepare his defence while on bail.
Signed
Comrade Timi Frank
ULMWP Ambassador (East Africa and Middle East) and
Senior Advisor, Global Friendship City Association (GFCA), USA.
