The Deputy Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court (FHC) in Awka, the Anambra State capital, Mba Nkem, has been accused of collecting between 20 to 30 litres of diesel from every defendant granted bail before perfecting their bail conditions.
The accusation came after several defendants and their counsel raised concerns over the matter.
The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, confronted the Deputy Chief Registrar about the allegations.
In her response seen by The Bureau Newspaper on Wednesday, the registrar explained the process of bail verification and denied any personal benefit from the diesel collection.
She narrated that the court orders directed sureties to deposit refundable bank drafts in her name, which were placed in interest-yielding accounts at the United Bank for Africa (UBA) and would remain there for the duration of the trial.
“The bank drafts or any of the bail bonds are not for the Deputy Chief Registrar’s personal aggrandisement,” she stated.
She explained that due to her busy schedule, she assigned senior bailiffs to verify the bail conditions and report back to her.
“Attached herewith for your perusal are some of the affidavits of verification as submitted to me by the sheriffs,” she added.
Regarding the diesel issue, she said, “The court’s electricity supply has been erratic, and at one point, robbers stole the cables. For nine months, the court had no power. The quarterly subvention from court revenue barely covers our diesel needs.”
The Deputy Chief Registrar disclosed that during court sessions, lawyers had suggested contributing 20 to 30 litres of diesel per case to speed up the typing of bail verification processes.
“However, those who cannot provide diesel due to pro-bono cases or other reasons are still accommodated when leftover diesel is available,” she clarified.
To maintain transparency, she emphasised that the diesel was never monetised and was delivered directly to the generator.
She added, “I maintain an open-door policy and always invite my secretary into meetings with counsel or litigants to ensure trust and transparency.”
She concluded her letter by stating that she was open to correction if found wanting in her duties, attaching copies of bank drafts and court orders for further investigation.
The statement reads, “With all due respect, Sir, I humbly wish to narrate to you the process and procedures adopted by the Court in the exercise of Execution of the Order of Court, whereby the Court makes an Order directing the Deputy Chief Registrar to verify the Bail conditions as granted and thereafter report the compliance or otherwise to his lordship accordingly.
“Attached herewith this letter are 10 (Ten), Processed Court Orders for Bail, for your kind perusal please. On these Orders his lordship directed that the Sureties shall deposit a refundable Bank Draft in the name of the Deputy Chief Registrar. These Drafts in compliance have been deposited in United Bank for Africa (UBA) in an interest yielding Fixed Deposit Accounts, and will remain there throughout the pendency of the Trial. The Bank Drafts are part of the Bail Bond. The Bank Drafts or any of the Bail Bonds are not for the Deputy Chief Registrar’s personal aggrandisement.
“Because of my very busy schedule I find it impracticable to embark on the Bail verification in person. Hence I appointed very senior experienced Bailiffs to function as sheriffs for the purposes of verifying the Bail conditions and reverting back to me in writing. Attached herewith for your perusal are copies of bank drafts and court orders for your investigation.”