By Matthew Don
The N1billion bail condition which a Federal High presided by Justice … Obiozor granted former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Maurice Iwu has unsettled the man, his family and friends.
Iwu is veubg tried by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in connection with a N1.2.billion alleged money laundering linked wigh former Petroleum minister, Diezani Alison Madueke.
Iwu was arraigned on Thursday, August 8 but remanded with the EFCC till Friday, August 9 when he was ordered to move his application for bail.
The court on Friday has the application for bail as applied by Iwu’s counsel and responded to by the EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyefepo.
It was a shocking ruling to Iwu, his counsel, family and associates when Justice Obiozor announced a bail condition of N1billion with two sureties in like sum.
Sources close to Iwu told Armadanews.com that the former INEC boss was weak when the sum for bail was announced, an indication the powers that be were determined to deal with him.
“It is obvious they want to be ruthless to him as well as keep him in custody for as long as they wish including during this Sallah break going by the sum announced for his bail,” an associate told this newspaper.
The source added: ” Where will he get that kind of money? Who has that kind of money for surety? From the bail condition one can deduce government’s intention on Iwu.”
Apart from the huge bail sum, the Judge also ruled that Iwu must not communicate with any of the witnesses in his case.