The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Apo granted Senator Benson Konbowei, who represents Bayelsa Central, bail at N50 million on Thursday.
Konbowei faced a three-count charge, including the alleged forgery of a National Youth Service Corps certificate, and was allowed to return home pending the bail ruling.
Justice Christopher Oba, in delivering the ruling, emphasized that bail is at the court’s discretion, considering the non-capital nature of the offense.
Konbowei was granted bail with two sureties each possessing landed property within the court’s jurisdiction and authentic Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O).
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Despite a plea by Konbowei’s lawyer to provide an undertaking for his appearance, Justice Oba ordered him remanded in prison until the bail conditions are met.
The prosecution presented a witness, former senator Moses Cleopas, who highlighted inconsistencies in Konbowei’s certificate.
Konbowei’s lawyer objected to the relevance and authenticity of the documents presented by the prosecution, citing sections of the Evidence Act.
The prosecution argued that the documents were responses to inquiries made by the witness, asserting their authenticity as original copies issued from a public office.
