A Federal High Court, Abuja, has granted bail to Matthew Sonoma, the native doctor who allegedly defrauded former chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDD), Sam Edem of N761 million.
Justice G. Kolawole granted Sonoma (a.k.a Perekabowei Ogah), bail following an application filed before the court by his counsel, Mr. Stanley Damabide.
The accused person was granted bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties each in like sum. One of the sureties must have a landed property in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Justice Kolawole also ordered that one of the sureties must be a civil servant on grade level 16 and above and must deposit two recent photographs each with the court.
The judge asked the sureties to ensure regular attendance of the accused person in court to face his trial.
“I have carefully gone through the written addresses filed by counsels in this matter for and against the bail of the accused and have found out that the magnitude of the alleged offence is high but by virtue of the law, the accused is still presumed innocent at this stage.
“I am of the view that bail in this instant case is at the discretion of the court since the penalty upon conviction for the alleged offence is not death. From the foregoing and the fact that prosecution has failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt, the tendency of the accused jumping bail if granted, I hold that the accused be granted bail,” Kolawole said.
The accused was arraigned on a 15-count charge before the court on October 13, and had pleaded not guilty to each of the charges.