Court Grants Woman N10m Bail In Fraud Case

Peace Ekom Robert, a Nigerian woman who was arrested and detained by police operatives for alleged fraudulent activities, has finally been granted bail by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The court allowed her release after she pleaded not guilty to the four counts charged against her by the police.

This development comes after Robert had previously sued the Nigerian Police for human rights violations stemming from her arrest. In August 2023, the Akwa Ibom State High Court awarded her N200 million in damages for her illegal detention, a ruling the police have yet to comply with.

According to Robert’s lawyer, Uwemedimo Nwoko, she was initially arrested in August 2023 over alleged fraudulent activities.

The police also accused her of terrorism and publishing libellous content against an unnamed officer on social media. However, Nwoko argues that the charges are unsubstantiated and lack details, particularly the identity of the supposedly offended officer.

The court granted Robert bail of N10 million and two sureties in the same amount. Her release on Friday marks a significant step towards justice for her long ordeal, though the charges levied against her remain to be contested.

According to reports from SaharaReporters, Robert’s legal representative, Nwoko (SAN) confirmed that she was released after fulfilling the bail conditions stipulated by the court last week. She had been held in detention following her arrest.

Nwoko noted that Robert was arraigned alongside Ubong Udoh, who faced allegations of publishing defamatory content against an unnamed police officer on social media. The charges presented in court did not specify the officer’s identity.

The lawyer outlined the charges brought against Robert, highlighting that she was accused under the Cybercrime Act for publishing an article that was deemed threatening to a police officer, categorized as a form of terrorism. Both Robert and Udoh pleaded not guilty to the charges.

On the bail conditions set by the court, Nwoko disclosed that the bail sum amounted to N10 million each, alongside two sureties of similar financial commitment, adding that the court scheduled the commencement of the trial for February 20, 2024.

Following their fulfillment of the bail conditions on Thursday, Robert and Udoh were released from custody. They were subsequently required to finalize the necessary paperwork at the court alongside their respective sureties, affirming their compliance with the bail terms.