The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) has finally freed Mr Monday Ubani after the back and forth with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on his continued detention despite an alleged court order.
Mr Monday Ubani was arrested and detained on March 19, along with ex-Senator Christopher Enai for allegedly failing to produce a former Managing Director of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF, Mrs Ngozi Olejeme, who both men stood for as sureties.
Mrs Ngozi Olojeme is facing an N6.4billion fraud charge preferred against her by the EFCC.
Mr Monday Ubani had maintained his innocence over Olejeme’s sudden disappearance while insisting that she absconded after the EFCC raided her home
He also allegedly stated that his decision to stand surety for Olejeme was because he compelled her to return to Nigeria to face the charge against her and all effort to secure her bail was frustrated by the EFCC.
EFCC had previously asked the NBA to punish Mr Monday Ubani instead of asking for the commission for his release. The anti-graft agency had said:
“It is regrettable that the NBA opted to vilify the Commission over a purported order that is based on an ex parte motion by Mike Ozekhome, SAN, Counsel to Ubani, without any objective attempt at reviewing the facts of the case between the EFCC and Ubani.
Unknown to the bar leadership, there are, at least, three different motions before the court on this matter. The applicants have a pending motion on notice for bail. They also filed a motion ex parte for bail. All the Commission is waiting for are dates for the motions to be argued.
The NBA must be mindful not to succumb to the wiles of members whose conducts detract from the lofty ethical standards of the bar.”
After 23-days in custody, Mr Monday Ubani a Vice-President of the NBA finally regain his freedom.