A Bukuru Chief Magistrate’s Court in Plateau has granted bail to Danjuma
Fwenji, an Evangelist, who was alleged to have criminally enticed Joy,
the wife of Leonard Dilkon, a former House of Representatives member.
The accused, who is the Overseer of God’s Grace Divine Mission, Jos,
was granted bail in the sum of N1.5 million at the hearing of the case
on Wednesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr. Dilkon, who
represented Pankshin/Kanam/ Kanke constituency in the House of
Representatives between 2003 and 2007, had dragged Mr. Fwenji to the
court for allegedly enticing his wife.
Mr. Fwenji denied the allegation.
At the resumed hearing of the case on Wednesday, his counsel, Smart
Irabor, prayed the court to grant his client bail, quoting section 36
(5) of the 1999 constitution that held that an accused person was
innocent until otherwise proven.
Mr. Irabor told the court that his client would neither jump bail, nor interfere with police investigation.
“I can also assure the court that my client will always be available for trial,” he said.
Mr. Irabor further urged the court to grant the accused bail on self-recognizance.
But Francis Okafor, counsel to the complainant, who did not object to
the bail appeal, prayed that the court should take stringent measures in
granting it.
“This is important because the accused has been avoiding the court.
“He has always refused to appear before the court to clear himself of the allegations levelled against him,” he said.
Mr. Okafor recalled that two bench warrants were issued on the accused
but that it had always been difficult to serve him because “he moves
around with armed policemen”.
The counsel said that the demand for bail on self-recognizance was “an
insult” to the court because the case was a direct criminal complaint
and not a police prosecution.
In his ruling, the Chief Magistrate, Sam Galadima, admitted the accused
to bail in the sum of N1.5 million and two sureties in like sum.
Mr. Galadima said the sureties must be persons of standing and proven
integrity, and must also reside within the jurisdiction of the court.
The magistrate adjourned the matter till April 27, for further hearing.
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