Court revokes bail granted housewife for misusing privileges

A Dutse Grade I Area Court on Wednesday in Abuja revoked the bail it granted a housewife, Zipporah Kure, 47, for misusing the privilege.

Kure was admitted to bail in the sum of N200, 000 with one surety in like sum.

The presiding judge, Mr Suleiman Mohammed, revoked the bail, following an application by the Prosecution Counsel, Mr Tunde Arowolo.

Arowolo in his application argued that the defendant had become a serial offender, with more allegations to stand trial for, in the same court.

The presiding judge ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison until the outcome of her trial.

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He held that the order became necessary after the record of the court showed that the defendant had three First Information Reports (FIRs) with at least, two allegations on each file to stand trial for in the same court.

Mohammed also noted that the order followed an observation by the prosecution who argued that it was at the detriment of the society that the defendant be allowed bail since the aim had been defeated following fresh allegations against her.

He adjourned further hearing in the matter until September 16.

The defendant, a resident of Garam Village, near Bwari town, was initially charged with two counts of impersonating a public servant and being in possession of stolen property of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

She is also standing trial in a fresh allegation of a similar offence and a criminal breach of trust and cheating, for allegedly defrauding a man clothes worth N315, 000.

She had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Earlier, Arowolo while quoting the Criminal Justice Act section 162 sub (A), said that the purpose of granting bail in the court was for the defendant to enjoy his or her constitutional rights while defending themselves.

He, however, added that if the right was misused and the defendant goes further to commit more offences, the right should be withdrawn and the defendant remanded in prison until the end of the trial which proves the defendant guilty or innocent.

He said that defendant had misused her bail privilege which she enjoyed while going further to commit more offence at the detriment of the society, but has unfortunately brought her before the same court with fresh allegations.

Responding, Mr Benjamin Obanba, Counsel to the defendant, opposed the submission by the prosecution while stating that there was no need for the order to be granted since the defendant had always made herself available in court, which was one of the conditions of the bail.

He also argued that it was in the interest of justice that his client be granted bail pending the outcome of the trial as bail does not acquit but enables the defendant to prove their innocence.