Turnah: remanded in prison

Justice Ibrahim Watilat of the Federal High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Wednesday dismissed an oral bail application made by a former Special Adviser to Dan Abia, erstwhile managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and ordered that he be remanded in prison custody

At the resumed hearing of the case on Wednesday, defence counsel, Prof. Amuda Kanika, SAN, made an oral application for bail for Turnah.

According to Kanika, bail could be argued orally. Besides, “Turnah holds a privileged title of Member of the Order of Niger, MON, and would not jump bail”.

Justice Watilat refused to oblige the defence counsel’s prayers and directed him to formally apply for bail for his client.

He also ordered Turnah to be remanded in prison custody.

Turnah, together with seven companies, were arraigned on a 12-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretense, money laundering and abuse of office to the tune of N3, 094, 268, 235.69 ( Three Billion, Ninety Four Million, Two Hundred and Sixty Eight Thousand, Two Hundred and Thirty Five Naira, Sixty Nine kobo) .

The seven companies arraigned with Turnah are: El Godmas Global Servises Limited; Turnoil and Gas Nigeria Limited; Kolo Creek Petroleum Development Limited; Celtic Pride Consult and Events; Yenagoa Mall, Adaka Boro Marine Services Limited and Sugarland Integrated farms Nigeria Limited.

Justice Watilat adjourned the matter to 30 June, 2017 for hearing of bail application.