Ese Oruru: Sureties turn down Yunusa’s request

From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa

Yunusa Dahiru, who is facing charges over alleged abduction, sexual exploitation and rape of 14-year-old Ese Oruru cannot meet his bail conditions, Daily Sun has gathered.

It was learnt that people within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court in Yenagoa are not willing to stand as surety to the accused.

Justice Hyeladzira Ajiya Nganjiwa had admitted Yunusa to bail on March 21 with very stringent conditions which include a bail of N3 million and two sureties in like sum resident within the jurisdiction of the court. Also, one of the sureties must be a title holder, while the second person must be    a Civil Servant on grade level 12, or above.

The bail conditions also stipulated that the two sureties must submit their three years tax clearance receipts and that the defence counsel must sign an undertaking that the accused would not jump bail.

A source close to the Dahiru family said all efforts to meet the bail conditions have been futile and they have now come to the sad conclusion that Yunusa cannot meet the bail conditions.

“All efforts to get the two sureties for him have been unsuccessful. Nobody within this jurisdiction is willing to stand surety for him. Everybody is afraid.

“Northerners who are title holders and are willing to stand surety are handicap because their titles are not gazetted. It is sad but, that is the situation on ground. It is now left for the defence team to find a way out.”

Contacted on the development, the defence counsel, Mr Kayode Olaosebikan, who confirmed that his client has not been able to meet his bail conditions, said they have no option but to approach the Court for variations of the bail conditions.

“ Yes, my client is still in prison custody as he cannot meet the bail conditions. We are going to approach the court to ask for variations of the bail conditions if the court would accept our plea.”

Justice Nganjiwa had adjourned till April 19 to hear the application by the prosecution counsel, James Anata for the evidence of the victim, Ese Oruru to be taken in camera.