A former minister of works and housing, Hassan Lawal, yesterday asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to order his release from prison custody, pleading that he will not jump bail if granted.

Mr Lawal and 15 others were on Wednesday arraigned before an Abuja court presided over by Belikisu Aliyu, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 25-count charge bordering on fraudulent award of contracts, money laundering and embezzlement of about N75.5 billion belonging to the federal government.

But counsel to Mr Lawal, in his application for bail yesterday, said his client has not been able to make any calls since the time of his arrest and has lost his goodwill and relationships.

“He was arrested and detained while going about his business lawfully,” M.A. Magarji said.

Mr Magarji, who filed the bail application pursuant to section 35(4) and 36 of the 1999 constitution, further pleaded that the minister will not jump bail if granted bail and will not tamper with already concluded investigation.

“It is important to state that the 1st Accused/Applicant has been invited on several occasions by the EFCC and has always honoured the invitation,” he said. “Even while in EFCC bail, he was invited for further interrogation through phone calls and he still honoured the invitation.

“At the last invitation of the complainant, the 1st accused person elected to honour the invitation and soon thereafter was detained in the custody of the Complainant/Respondent before being arraigned. It is our argument that a person who has contributed his own quota would not jump bail and will always be available to take his trial.”

Health grounds

He said the minister suffers from kidney ailment and has recently developed a cardio-vascular ailment, of which he needs constant medication and needs to be managed by his medical doctors.

“It is also important to submit respectively that the health of the 1st accused has deteriorated since his detention by the EFCC,” he said.

Mr Lawal and 15 others docked along with him by the EFCC pleaded not guilty to the charges read to them on Wednesday.

The counsel to the EFCC, Wahab Shittu, asked the court to remand them in prison custody pending the commencement of trial.

The judge agreed, and ordered that the accused persons be remanded in Kuje Prison till a formal application for bail is brought before the court and adjourned the case till June 6th for definite hearing.

Mr Lawal, who was appointed Minister of Works and Housing by late President Umaru Yar’Adua in 2007, also served as Minister of Labour and Productivity in the cabinet of former President, Olusegun Obasanjo.


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wonders shall never end o.why is that every time people like him get arrested,they usually come up with ill-health stories.when he was eating the money he didn't develop any kidney or cardiovascular problems.hmmn! i tire o.and EFCC i hope they are not beign used as stooges for PDP.

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