Lanre Adewole, Abuja - 30.07.2007

They are facing trial over alleged money laundering, stealing and conversion of public funds running into about N50 billion.

They were remanded in prison custody by the different courts handling their trial in Abuja.

About a week after some of them were released on bail, they are still in Kuje prisons because they could not meet their bail conditions.

As at press time, the Nigerian Tribune gathered that none of them had moved near perfecting his bail conditions, because those they reportedly relied on as sureties are said to be giving the venture a wide berth.

This, it was gathered, was because they did not want to have any problem with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which is prosecuting the former governors.

The prospective sureties, the Nigerian Tribune gathered, are afraid of pledging the N100 million bond because the commission might start asking questions about how they made their money which may lead to a fresh probe into their lives.

Though the prominent Nigerians required as sureties are said to be trooping-in daily to see the accused in prison, they are said to have been reluctant when it comes to standing as sureties.

The fear that the anti-corruption commission might also see them as accomplices, who assisted the accused in laundering the said funds, is also said to be another factor that is keeping prospective sureties away.

Dariye was granted bail last Monday, and apart from the Emir of Lafia that signaled his intention to stand as surety for him, he is said to be finding it difficult getting a senator to complete the two sureties, ordered by Justice Babs Kuewumi of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Dariye was granted bail in the sum of N100 million and the two sureties in the like sum, and also to possess developed landed property in choice areas in Abuja.

Calls to his counsel’s mobile phone did not go through. However, counsel for Kalu, Mike Ezekhome, in a telephone interview, said that his client had met his bail conditions since last Friday, the same day he was given bail, explaining that it was the lateness in making the conditions available to the court on the day that led to Kalu’s continued stay in prison.

Meanwhile, an Abuja High Court will today rule on the bail application of Dariye. Justice Banjoko fixed the ruling for today after taking submission from parties in the trial, following EFCC’s objection to the bail application.

EFCC had told the court that Dariye would jump bail like he allegedly did in London when he was arrested for money laundering.

The worst hit among the former governors on the issue of bail is Nyame, who is said to have been deserted after it was made public that he had confessed to looting the state treasury.

Nyame had told the EFCC in his confessional statement that once the amount he illegally took from the state was certified, he would be ready to refund it.