The Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos has adjourned the hearing on the bail application of the bank executives arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) till next week.
Dan Abutu, a Justice of the Federal High Court adjourned the ruling on the bail application of the five managing directors of banks, who were sacked by the Central Bank governor, Sanusi Lamido, a fortnight ago.
The former Union Bank CEO, Bathlomew Ebong, had his bail application adjourned till Monday, 14th of September 2009. Cecilia Ibru, former MD of Oceanic bank, who has been battling with ill-health since she turned herself in to the anti-graft agents, also had her bail application extended to the 14th of September.
According to Wole Olanipekun, counsel to Okey Nwosu, former MD of FinBank, “the bail case has also been adjourned to the 14th and 15th of September.” He said the judge claimed the extension was due to his tight schedule and the need to attend to other cases.
Also the ruling on the bail application by Intercontinental Bank non-executives was also adjourned to 14 and 15 of September 2009. The judge had on Tuesday stated that he will rule on their application today due to their age. The average age of the executives is over 60.
Protesters also gathered at the court entrance, carrying placards to register their grouse against the treatment of the bank chiefs. The leader of the group, Sunday Aremu, said “they should stop treating them like criminals.”