Twenty-four hours after their arrest, Police Equipment Fund (PEF) National Coordinator Kenny Martins and his deputy, Ibrahim Dumuje, were yesterday arraigned before an Abuja Chief Magistrate’s Court for alleged forgery.

They pleaded not guilty and were granted bail for N1 million each with two sureties in like sum.

The trial of the accused, who were brought to court in a police bus about 1pm, lasted about four hours.

The charges against them and two lawyers earlier arraigned read:

"That you Joni Icheka, Cosmas Okpara, Martins and Dumuje on or about the 31st day of March, 2006 at Corporate Affairs Commission, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja within the Abuja Magisterial District, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony, to wit: forge documents relating to Corporate Affairs Commission and thereby committed and offence punishable under section 96(1) of the Penal Code, Cap 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1999 (Abuja).

•"That you Joni Icheka, Cosmas Okpara, Kenny Martins and Ibrahim Dumuje, on or about the 31st day of March 2006 at same place within the Abuja Magisterial District did forge form CAC.7 of NIGERSTALG LIMITED with intent to defraud the Police Equipment Fund and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 364 of Penal Code Act Cap 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990 (Abuja)."

Martins and Dumuje were granted bail despite the objection of the Police Prosecutor, Mr. Stanley Nwodo.

Nwodo pleaded with Chief Magistrate Sunday Ochimana to remand the accused in custody until the conclusion of the investigation of allegations against them.

The prosecutor said Dumuje was wanted in the United States (US) for alleged fraud. But he was overruled by the chief magistrate, who said the prosecutor should concentrate on the pending charges.

Responding, the defence counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome, faulted the submission of the prosecutor.

Ozekhome said every accused person is presumed innocent under the nation’s law until the contrary is proved. He urged the court to grant the accused bail because they were respected Nigerians, who voluntarily surrendered to the police.

He added: "The accused were not arrested by the police, contrary to on newspaper reports, which they read as ordinary Nigerians, they decided to appear before the police.

"In fact on the day the bench warrant for their arrest was issued, they were with the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, having a meeting on the seventh floor at the Force Headquarters. My Lord, they willingly submitted themselves to the police."

In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Ochimana granted the accused bail for N1million each.

He ordered the accused to produce a surety each, who must have landed property in Abuja and a lawyer who is not less than 12 years old at the bar. He also said a civil servant not below grade level 08 could stand as surety for the accused.

"The prosecution failed to argue that the accused were arrested. There is nothing to show that the accused had attempted to interfere with investigations or will attempt to commit an offence if granted bail," he said.

The case was adjourned till June 4.

Following non-appearance of Martins and Dumuje in court last week when their fellow accused were arraigned, Ochimana ordered their arrest.

In the court last week, Nwodo told the magistrate that Martins and Dumuje were at large.

But just before Nwodo ended his submission, a human rights activist, Mr. Festus Keyamo, stood up as amicus curiae and accused the police of insincerity in the matter concerning Martins and Dumuje.

He said: "Kenny Martins is an in-law to former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The police are not sincere about prosecuting him. They did not want to bring him to court.

"Kenny Martins has five mobile policemen guarding him and the police are saying that he is at large. He organised a grand reception for his son who wedded in Lagos last week with most of the police chiefs in attendance. He also donated 25 jeeps to the police about two weeks ago."