By Akinwale Kasali
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has granted embattled suspended Dean of the Faculty Of Law, University of Calabar, UNICAL, Professor Cyril Ndifon, bail on health grounds.
The bail waa granted by Justice Omotosho to enable Ndifon undergo surgery for glaucoma.
The decision came after an application by Ndifon’s counsel, Okon Efut, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, and received no opposition from Osuobeni Akponimisingha, lawyer to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Ndifon was granted bail to the sum of N250 million with a surety who would swear to an affidavit of means and deposit travel documents with the court Registrar.
This bail is effective from January 10th to January 25th, aligning with the scheduled date for the bail application hearing submitted by Ndifon’s lawyer.
Efut had previously informed the court about Ndifon’s impending eye surgery and passionately appealed for bail to facilitate the surgery, although initially, the court held the bail application was premature.
Consequently, Ndifon was remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre until the Court reconvened. Amidst these proceedings, ICPC’s lawyer raised concerns about alleged threats made by one of the defense lawyers, Mr. Sunny Anyanwu, towards their star witness in a phone conversation related to the case.
Upon the Court ’s resumed hearing, Efut presented a further affidavit countering ICPC’s opposition to their bail application. Anyanwu’s absence raised questions in Court, with concerns about his non-appearance and the filings regarding the case.
Efut assured the Court of filing the necessary documents, expressing readiness for Ndifon’s release to facilitate the impending surgery. Justice Omotosho, acknowledging the urgency, agreed to release Ndifon to Efut with certain conditions and emphasized the need for an accelerated hearing. The Judge also directed ICPC to bring their witnesses for the upcoming Court date.
