A Federal Capital Territory High Court, presided over by Justice Abubakar Sadiq Umar on Thursday 28 February, 2013 granted bail to Mustapha Audu, son of late ex-governor of Kogi state, Prince Abubakar Audu who is standing trial alongside his wife, Zahra Audu and their company, Constructor Guild Limited over an N18 million land scam.
EFCC arraigned the couple on Tuesday 26 February, 2013 for falsely obtaining the sum of N18 million from one Nike Kolawole under the pretence that they will get her a four- bedroom house at Katampe Extension, Abuja; and another property at Caemly Estate, Idu Sabo, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Counsel to the accused, Okechuku Ajunwa pleaded with the court to grant the first accused person bail since because his first alleged offence he is eligible for it.
His bail was however opposed prosecuting counsel, Samuel Ugwuegbulam, opposed.According to him, the offence for which the accused was charged is eligible for bail, it nonetheless carries a sentence of not less seven years which could be a motivation to jump bail.
"I urge this honourable court to fix a short date for trial so that the case will be heard and justice be served in the shortest possible time. The EFCC has only three witnesses to present which can all be heard the same day."
The presiding judge having heard the arguments of counsel, granted the accused bail in the sum of N5million (five million naira) with two sureties in like sum.
He ordered that the sureties must be residents within the jurisdiction of the court and one of them must be a federal civil servant not below the rank of level 10.
Mustapha Audu's wife, Zahra was on the day of her arraignment magnanimously allowed by the judge to enjoy the administrative bail granted her by the EFCC owing to her status as a nursing mother.
Trial date was later adjourned to15th April, 2013.