A Yola High Court, yesterday, granted bail to former governor Of Adamawa State, Balla James Nggilari who was sentenced to five years imprisonment for violation of procurement law and other corruption related offences, last month.
Nggilari was granted bail on health grounds by Justice Nathan Musa who equally sentenced the appellant last month to five years imprisonment without option of fine.
Sam Ologunorisa (SAN) counsel to the appellant had earlier , told the court that his client who has been sick before his conviction had his health condition worsening on daily basis.
Sam Ologunorisa also told the court that urgent measures has to be taken to save the life of his client.
Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Abubakar Aliyu had objected to the application on the ground that no sufficient papers were submitted to the court that could warrant granting the bail.
The State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Mr. Silas Sanga while responding to the judgement said government would constitute criminal investigation panel to ascertain the authenticity of the letter.
“ Government is disturbed about the ruling of the high court granting bail pending appeal to the former Governor Balla James Nggilari.
“The judgement is a very rear legal remedy. It doesn’t come as a matter of course, somebody has already been convicted, the presumption of innocence is no longer applicable to the convict.
“You must establish special circumstance before granting bail pending appeal, the health simpliciter is not good enough to grant bail pending appeal .
“Before such bail would be granted the convict must show these special circumstances that the ill health must be contagious in nature as to endanger the other inmates in the prison.”