Former Governor of Adamawa State, James Ngilari, has been granted bail after he was arraigned for alleged N167 million contract processing without due process.

A Yola high court presided over by Justice Nathan Musa on Thursday granted Ngilari bail along with his administration’s Commissioner for Finance, Sanda Lamurde.

Musa granted Ngilari bail in the sum of N100 million with a surety who must have a landed property in Yola metropolis.

The court granted Lamurde bail in the sum of N50 million with surety, who must also possess a landed property in Yola.

The court will, on Friday, give ruling on a bail application by Ibrahim Welye, who served as the Secretary to the state government under Ngilari.

Ngilari, Welye and Lamurde were arraigned before the court on a 17-count charge of conspiracy and unlawful processing of contract.

They were charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which said the offence contravened Section 96 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 97 of the same code.

The EFCC accused the trio of processing contract for purchase of 25 cars worth N167 million without following due process.

The commission said the accused committed the crime in 2015 while in office.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty.

Ruling on the bail application the judge said the prosecutor had not provided enough reason why the former governor and commissioner should not be granted bail.

Musa noted that the crime allegedly committed by Ngilari and Lamurde was bail-able.

He adjourned the case to October 10 for hearing Substantive hearing. (TV360 Nigeria)

•Photo shows Ex-Governor Ngilari.

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