A Federal High Court, Lagos, on Thursday granted post-conviction bail to a former Abia State Commissioner for Finance, Udeh Udeogu, on health grounds.
Mr. Udeogu was convicted of N7.65 billion fraud alongside former Governor of Abia and Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.
Igbere TV reports that Justice Mohammad Idris had in December last year, sentenced Udeogu to 10 years imprisonment, while Kalu bagged 12 years jail term.
But on Thursday, Justice Mohammed Liman granted bail to Udeogwu in the sum of N50 million, on the grounds of ill health and chronic tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis, the judge said, is a dangerous disease which can easily affect the other inmates of the correctional facility.
“I’m of the opinion that this application has disclosed a reasonable cause of action that the defendant’s health has greatly deteriorated which can not be salvaged by the doctor in the correctional services centre.
“Accordingly this application is meritorious and succeeds.
“Bail is hereby granted to the applicant in the following terms: Applicant is granted N50million bail with two sureties in like sum…
“One of the Sureties must be a landed property owner within the jurisdiction,” Justice Liman said.
