Igbinedion battles to regain freedom

Jude Ossai, Enugu - 14.02.2008

FORMER governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, who is still in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Enugu following his inability to meet the 16 conditions given by the Federal High Court, Enugu for his bail, may soon get his freedom.

This follows a plan by his former colleague, Chief Oji Uzor Kalu to rescue him from the custody of the anti-graft body, a source close to EFCC has revealed.

Nigerian Tribune investigation revealed that Chief Igbinedion on Wednesday reached out to the former Abia State governor, urging him to bail him out of the trouble.

Although Chief Kalu did not come to the Enugu office of the EFCC, but a source said the former governors spoke through their aides in Enugu where the plan to help the ex-governor was discussed.

Chief Igbinedion was arraigned at the court presided over by Justice Olayinka Faji on 147-count charges which included money laundry.

Three companies were allegedly used by him to siphon money belonging to the state. The ex-governor could not meet the bail conditions on Monday and was, therefore, remanded in the EFCC custody, as he had to produce two permanent secretaries as sureties along side 15 other conditions before he could be allowed bail.