Justice Joseph Aneke of a Federal High Court in Makurdi has ordered five persons indicted by the Justice Elizabeth Kpojime Commission of Inquiry to be remanded in prison till next Thursday.

A lawmaker representing Logo Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, Kester Kyenge; Mr David Sev-Av, Mr Andrew Ayande, Mr Terfa Bosua and Mr Alex Ogaba are to be remanded in prison pending the determination of their bail application.

Justice Aneke gave the order while ruling on a bail application brought before him by counsel to the accused persons, Andrew Wombo praying the court to grant his clients bail for their role in the alleged N107 billion fraud, for which the Justice Elizabeth Kpojime Commission of Inquiry indicted 52 persons and companies.

Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Kehinde Fagbemi told the court that the accused persons were standing trial on corruption charges bordering on money laundering and diversion of public funds as part of the alleged missing N107 billion.

After the sitting, the defence counsel alleged political persecution of his clients. He noted that a key member of Association of Local Government in Nigeria (ALGON), who was also indicted was conveniently left off the hook because he defected into the ruling party in the state. (Channels TV)