Court grants former Zamfara governor, Yerima, N100 million bail

A Zamfara State High Court has granted bail to a former governor of the state, Ahmed Yerima, who was arraigned on Thursday, by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, ICPC.

Mr. Yerima was given a bail of N100 million, after he pleaded not guilty to a 19-count charge of fraud alleged to have been committed during his tenure as governor.

According to the charge, Mr. Yerima diverted N1billion, meant for the execution of projects in the state. He also allegedly diverted N684 million alongside other accomplices.

After taking his plea, Mr. Yerima’s counsel, Mahmud Magaji, noted that the offences for which Mr. Yarima was charged with, were bailable, stressing that his client had no reason to jump bail.

Mr. Magaji further informed the court that his client was eligible for bail, even under the ICPC Act.

The judge, Bello Shinkafi, ruled that Mr. Yerima be granted bail for the said sum, with two sureties who own assets worth N150 million.

Mr. Shinkafi also ruled that one of the sureties must be resident within Gusau, the state capital.