Ese’s alleged abductor, Dahiru, gets bail

•Teenager’s cross-examination continues Sept 13

Abductor of the Delta-born 14-year Ese Oruru, Yunusa Dahiru was at the weekend granted bail after a four-month detention in Okaka Prisons in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

A reliable source told our correspondent that Dahiru was immediately taken to Kano in company of his lawyers who usually fly into the state during court sittings.

It was, however, learnt that contrary to insinuations that no Bayelsan would be willing to stand as surety for the accused, the person who eventually perfected the bail conditions is an indigene.

His lawyers had battled since March this year to secure his freedom but impeded by the stringent bail conditions given by Justice Ajiya Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court, Yenagoa.

The judge had set a N3 million bail bond and two sureties in like sum, resident within the jurisdiction of the court as conditions for Dahiru’s release.

He had also ordered that one of the sureties must be a traditional title holder, while the second person must be a civil servant on Grade Level 12 or above.

The hurdles also stipulated that the two sureties must submit their three-year tax clearance receipts in addition to the defence counsel undertaking that the accused would not jump bail.

However, Justice Nganjiwa later relaxed the conditions after being begged by counsel to the accused.

Ese had in the last laps of court sessions testified in camera and cross-examined via that medium to shield her from publicity.

But a source privy to the private court proceedings, when asked how Miss Oruru had been reacting to seeing, Dahiru in the same chambers during sessions, noted that “she has been very antagonistic.”

The accused is currently facing a five-count charge of abduction, inducement through use of deception and coercion, illicit intercourse, sexual exploitation and unlawful carnal knowledge of a minor.

His lawyer, Kayode Olaosebikan, confirmed the release, saying: “His people have taken him away.”

Meanwhile, Ese’s cross-examination continues September 13.