June 15, 2011 04:02AM

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/5716127-147/story.csp

Former minister of works, Hassan Lawal and eight others arraigned over a 29-count charge involving money laundering and misappropriation of the sum of N75.5 billion, yesterday regained their freedom after spending about one month in prison.

The men, facing charges bordering on fraudulent award of contracts, money laundering and embezzlement of money belonging to the federal government, were granted bail by presiding judge, Adamu Ballo of a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Mr Lawal and the others had been remanded at Kuje prison in Abuja, since May 11. The accused had earlier accused the former judge handling the case, Bilkisu Aliyu of alleged bias and the case was transferred to Mr Bello.

The judge granted each of the accused persons bail in the sum of N50 million and a surety in like sum. Each of the surety for the accused persons must have landed property in Abuja and must deposit the title documents to the property with the deputy registrar of the court. He also ordered the accused persons to deposit their international passports with the deputy registrar of the court and should not travel out of the country without the court’s permission.

Mr Bello said the offence committed is bailable and that granting bail was an issue for the discretion of the court. He said he decided to exercise his discretion in favour of the accused persons.

The former minister was on May 17, arraigned on another nine-count charge of money laundering to the sum of about N42 million. The court also admitted Lawal and one Adesanya Adewole to bail, in a separate case involving a charge of N42 million. The judge admitted them to bail in the sum of N10 million and a surety who must be a responsible citizen, in like sum.

All the accused persons were to be remanded in prison custody pending the time they fulfil the bail conditions. They had all pleaded not guilty to the charges against them by the commission.

The first case was adjourned to July 26 for trial while the second case was adjourned to October 5th and 6th for trial.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had, on May 11, 2011 arraigned Mr Lawal and 7 others on a 24-count criminal charge bordering on fraudulent award of contracts, money laundering and embezzlement. Dr Lawal and his alleged accomplices reportedly stole the said sum in just four years.

Other accomplices of Dr Lawal include Adeogba Godwin Ademola, Digital Toll Company Ltd; Swede Control Interlink Ltd; Proman Vital Ventures Ltd; Nairda Ltd; Siraj Nigeria Ltd and Wise Health services Ltd. Lawal is the principal accused person in the charge.

Mr Lawal, who was appointed minister of Works and Housing by the late president, Umaru Yar’Adua in 2007, and also served as minister of Labour and Productivity in the cabinet of former president, Olusegun Obasanjo.