The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned Alkali Mamu, a former Air Officer Training Command and a member of the Committee for Procurement, Ministry of Defence, before Justice Salisu Garba of the FCT High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja on a three-count charge of bribery.
Mamu was charged for allegedly collecting a cash gift of N5.9 Million from Societe D’ Equipments Internationaux Nigeria Limited, a contractor with the Nigerian Air Force, in order to make up for the purchase price of a Range Rover Evoque.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges
Counsel to EFCC, Cosmas Ugwu, asked the court for a date for trial to commence adding that, “the prosecution intends to present six witnesses.”
He also asked that the accused person be remanded in prison custody pending trial.
But counsel to the defendant, Tawo E. Tawo, SAN, urged the court to grant his client bail, noting that he had filed an application to that effect on June 17, 2016.
Tawo Said his client has been on administrative bail and has been reporting to the EFCC whenever he was asked to, adding that the bail would enable him prepare well for the trial.
Ugwu objected, saying “the motion is not ripe for hearing”. He stated that, the application was served on him late on Friday and therefore, prayed for time to respond to it.
Justice Garba, after listening to both counsel adjourned to July 1, 2016 for ruling on the bail application and commencement of trial.
Meanwhile, the defendant is to be remanded in prison custody until the next sitting date.