The Kwara State High Court in Ilorin, Thursday, granted an interim bail of N20 million to Olalekan Alabi, the Personal Assistant on Political Matters to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed.
Alabi had been in police custody in Abuja since May 30, 2018, following his arrest over alleged link with Offa bank robbery suspects.
Justice I.A. Yusuf granted the bail after carefully considering the oral application for bail made by Alabi’s counsel, Mr Adebayo Adelodun, SAN, and the response of Adekunle Iwalaye, who is the counsel to the respondent, the Inspector General of Police,.
Adelodun had on July 27, 2018 moved an ex-parte motion, praying for the release of his client from police custody.
But the presiding judge failed to give any ruling, and ordered the respondent to appear in court today to show cause why the prayer sought in the application should not be granted.
Consequently, Adekunle Iwalaye, counsel to the respondent filed an affidavit to show cause why the governor’s aide should not be released from police custody, which was discountenanced by the court.
Delivering his ruling, Justice Yusuf ordered that Olalekan Alabi be released on interim bail in the sum of N20 million with two reliable sureties in like sum.
“The plaintiff in this suit is, hereby, granted an interim bail by this honourable court to the sum of N20 million,” he ruled.
He also ruled that the sureties must be civil servants with Kwara State government and must not be below the ranks of directors.
The judge, thereafter, adjourned the case to October 22, 2018, for hearing.
