Court Fails to Review Stiff Bail Conditions for Twenty-Three INEC Officials Facing Fraud Charges over Rivers State Rerun Election

Justice HILLARY OSHOMAH of the Federal
High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has also adjourned the case to 22nd November for hearing without any reference to submissions by the defence counsel, WALE BALOGUN.
Our correspondent VICTOR EZEMA reports that the defence counsel had asked the court to give his client more time to perfect their bail conditions before the commencement of trial.
WALE BALOGUN argued that the conditions of the bail granted his clients two weeks ago were too stringent, adding that many of the defendants were not from Rivers State.
But the Prosecuting Counsel, ALILU AMINU countered the argument and asked the court not to grant the defendants plea.
Outside the courtroom, ALILU AMINU said the defendants were trying to frustrate the case.
On his part, the Defence Counsel, WALE BALOGUN said he expected the court to show understanding of the predicament of the aging INEC officials on trial, most of who are from Plateau and Osun states.
The twenty-three INEC officials are accused of receiving bribes to the tune of over three hundred million naira from agents of the Rivers State during the rerun election on 10th December, 2016.