A Federal High Court judge has granted bail to the chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), Sani Malumfashi, and two of his colleagues, who are facing fraud charges involving N1 billion.
Justice James Omotosho approved bail for Malumfashi, the commission’s secretary, Anas Muhammed Mustapha, and a deputy director in the accounts department, Ado Garba, at N200 million each.
The defendants, arraigned before Justice Omotosho recently, had their bail applications heard on Wednesday. In his ruling, the judge noted that the allegations against the officials, while serious, are bailable offenses and do not qualify as capital crimes.
A significant factor in the decision was the stance of the prosecuting agency, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which raised no objection to the bail requests.
Justice Omotosho stipulated that each defendant must provide two sureties who can match the bail amount. The case continues as the anti-corruption agency proceeds with its prosecution.
