Justice Sunday Bassey Onu of the Federal High Court sitting in Kebbi on Monday, remanded the former governor of Kebbi State, Usman Saidu Dakingari and two others in prison custody.
Others charged alongside Mr Dakingari are former Secretary to the State, Rabiu Kamba and Ambassador Sunday Dogonyaro.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that Mr Dakingari and his co-defendants were arraigned on Thursday, ^ December on a 13 count charge of Conspiracy and Money Laundering to the tune N450, 000,000
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The defendants allegedly connived together and collected the sum N450, 000,000 part of the sum of $115,000,000 that was said to have been distributed by the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Deizani Allison Madueke for the purpose of influencing the 2015 general election.
However, upon arraignment, according to a statement by the acting Head, Media & Publicity of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Tony Orilade, said the defendants pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them.
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Subsequently, counsels representing them moved a bail application on their behalf.
The bail application was argued and the matter was adjourned to today for ruling.
In his ruling, Justice Onu granted the defendants bail in the sum of N50,000,000 each and one surety. The surety must have a landed property within the jurisdiction of the court.
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The defendants are to deposit their international passports and swore an affidavit of undertaking that they will never travel out without the leave of the court.
The defendants were remanded in prison custody pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions.
The matter has been adjourned to February 6th and 7th for trial.
