From Yakubu Busari, Jos
A Senior Magistrate Court sitting at Kasuwa Nama of Jos North Local Government Council has granted the bail application to the embattled Labour Party, LP, governorship candidate in Plateau State, Amb. Yohanna Yilpwan Margif, to the sum of N5 m and two sureties with passport photographs including landed properties.
In a one count charge of criminal breach of trust between Sule A.Bashir , Eliya Gajere and Amb. Margif, the suspect (Margif ) in 2011 bought cars in the sum of N28m with a promise to pay in two weeks but the cheque bounced.
According to the prosecution counsel, Barr. M. N. Alex the suspect absconded and relocated to Abuja after issuance of Union Bank bound cheque. This act, according to him, is a criminal breach of trust punishable under section 297; 307; and 294 of the Plateau State panel code law.
Amb. Yohanna Yilpwan Margif was arraigned before the court on Tuesday by the Commissioner of Police (COP)on 1 count of alleged N28.Million fraud.
Margif had pleaded not guilty at his arraignment and applied for bail through their counsel, M.B. Abdullahi.
The prosecution counsel, M.N, Alex had opposed the application and instead asked the court to deny the suspect bail because he has jump administrative bail thrice granted him by the Police Command in the state. He pleaded the court to make an order for an accelerated hearing of the matter.
Abdullah argued that they are not opposing the application as he had also applied for bail under section 36 (5) 36(6) of the 1999 constitution on presumption of innocence, adding that the accused person will not jump bail, cannot temper with investigation and would provide a credible surety in this regard.
He said under section 117 and 182 of the Constitution, the position of law is very clear, saying the court cannot refuse his bail because the defendant is not physically fit.
In his ruling on the application and counterapplication for bail, the Judge upheld the argument that the defendant should be granted bail. Further hearing continues.
