P&ID Scandal: Court admits petroleum resources ex-director to N10m bail

Abuja division of the Federal High Court

Justice O.A. Adeniyi of the FCT High Court, sitting in Apo, Abuja, on Wednesday, admitted Grace Taiga, former director, Legal Services in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, in the multiple fraud involving P&ID in Suleja Prison to bail in the sum of  N10 million.

The bail ruling came after  Taiga was on September 21 remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Service in Suleja, Niger State.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had alleged that Taiga, a former director, Legal Services in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, was a key actor in the fraudulent Gas Supply and Processing Agreement (GSPA) between the Federal Government and Process &Industrial Development (P&ID).

She was alleged to have used her position to administer undue favours to the company and was consequently arraigned on eight-count amended charges, bordering on accepting bribes and other related crimes.

Justice Adeniyi ordered the defendant to produce two sureties who must not be below the Cadre of a Director in a Federal Ministry.

Earlier, defence counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, prayed the court to admit his client to bail on grounds of health challenges.

He informed the court that Taiga is a 62-year old woman who has various health challenges, varying from hypertension to Diabetes.

He also told the court that she is a lawyer with 42 years post call who has never been involved in any form of trouble all through her years of practice.

Objecting to the bail application made by Olanipekun, Prosecution counsel, Bala Sanga, stated that the ailments bothering Taiga, are common in the society and can be adequately managed in the prison.

Sanga also stated that the defense counsel had no concrete evidence or proof to back up his claims.

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