Abuja - An Abuja High Court has adjourned till Sept. 16, ruling on a bail application filed by Perekabowei Ogah, the second accused in the N800 million NDDC scam.

Ogah who is said to be a traditional doctor, filed the motion through his counsel, Mr. Albert Akpomudja (SAN), following his arrest and detention by the Police.

He was arrested over an allegation of conspiracy and theft of N800 million belonging to NDDC, which also involved the former Chairman of the Commission, Sam Edem.

At the resumed hearing of the motion, Akpomudja urged the court to grant his client bail on the ground that no charge had been preferred against him.

He said the accused, arrested and granted bail in June by Zone 5 Police Headquarters, Benin, was re-arrested through an invitation at the Force Headquarters.

Akpomudja criticised the detention of his client on the ground that the Police lacked the constitutional right to detain an accused beyond 24 hours, as stipulated by law.

“My client has been in the Police custody since August. 26 when he was re-arrested by the Police.

“The allegation against my client is that he defrauded Edem the N600 million he allegedly stole from NDDC.

“My Lord, the allegation is baseless because since Edem has not admitted stealing such money, there is no reason why my client should be in the Police custody.

“I therefore urge the court to grant my client bail because the prosecution has failed to give reasons why charges have not been preferred against him,” Akpomudja said.

The Prosecution counsel, Mr. Simon Lough, in his argument, urged the court to discountenance the application of Ogah’s lawyer, on the ground that it lacked merit.

Lough told the court that there was the likelihood of the applicant jumping bail, considering the nature and the magnitude of the offence.

“The applicant had jumped bail in Zone 5 Headquarters and in a bid to avoid re-arrest, changed his name from Matthew Sonona to EJoor Tuwere Matthew and it took Police extra efforts to get him arrested.