Former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin on Wednesday was granted bail by Justice A. S. Umar of the FCT High Court sitting in Maitama.

Two other former senior naval officers, Rear Admiral Bala Mshelia and Rear Admiral Sheu Ahmadu were also granted bail by Justice Umar.

The three men were arraigned on Tuesday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Umar on allegations of criminal conspiracy.

Jibrin’s counsel, Y. C. Maikyau, prayed the court to admit his client to bail pending trial.

Maikyau argued that, “the offence for which the 1st defendant is charged is bailable by virtue of Section 42 (1) and (2) of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act 2000.”

He further stated that the defendant is a retired Vice Admiral of the Nigerian Navy and former Chief of Naval Staff who voluntarily honoured the invitation of the EFCC and remained cooperative throughout the investigation leading to his charge.

Olatunji Salawu, who stood in for A. M. Kayode, representing Mr. Mshelia, urged the court to admit his client to bail on “a very liberal term”.

He pleaded that, the accused person if granted bail, would be available to stand his trial.

Similarly, Ahmadu’s counsel, A. G. Duku, said “the second defendant will not be able to adequately prepare his defence while in custody as the circumstances surrounding his charge occurred in the course of his obeying instructions of his superior”.

Counsel to EFCC, Faruk Abdullahi opposed the applications of the first and third defendants (Jibrin and Ahmadu) but raised no objection to Msheila’s application.

He argued that the former naval Chief had the financial muscle to influence the prosecuting witness.

Justice Umar after listening to submissions from all counsels said the accused had the right to bail constitutionally.

He granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N100 million each and two sureties each in like sum.

One of sureties must not be below salary grade level 16. The sureties must have landed properties within the jurisdiction of the court which must be verified by the registrar of the court and the EFCC.

The judge also ordered that the accused persons be remanded in the EFCC custody pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions.

The case has been adjourned to November 14 and 15 for commencement of trial.