THE Federal capital territory High court, yesterday granted bail to 5 officers of the National Insurance commission, who are currently facing trial for allegedly diverting the N46.8 million allocated for the construction of National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) head office to purchase vehicles.

In a two-count charge preferred by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) against them, it is alleged that these officers, Mr. Okechukwu Emmanuel Chukwulozie, Mrs. Adedolapo Ogungbe, Laide Benson Onashokun, Alhaji Kamal Ahmad Arabi and Nicholas Opara between 2005 and 2006, at FCT Abuja, while being public officers with the NAICOM, did conspire with one another to commit an offence of spending the sum of N46.8m Naira meant for the building of a head office for the commission to purchase vehicles, which the ICPC say is contrary to Section 26(1) and punishable under Section 27(5) of the ICPC Act 2000.

Justice I .U Bello who presided over the case, had earlier ordered on Wednesday that the accused persons be remanded in Kuje prisons, pending the determination of their application for bail.

He however in his ruling on the application for bail yesterday, said that the offences are bailable ones.

According to the Justice, " having carefully analysed the submission of counsel to every of the accused, I am satisfied that bail as sought should be granted especially as there was no opposition in the part of the prosecution.

Consequently, each of the accused is hereby granted bail in self recognition."

Justice Bello maintained that if there is jumping of bail or the likelihood of doing it at any stage of the proceedings, the bail would be revoked.

Speaking after the ruling, the prosecuting counsel led by G.A Ibu, reiterated the determination of the ICPC to follow the case to its logical conclusion.

According to him, "this is a case of conspiracy and misappropriation of public fund, therefore we will not rest on our oars until those that are guilty are brought to book." he said.

Nevertheless, counsel to one of the accused persons Mr. Onyilokwu Aboje, believes that the charges are weak and porous.

"If the ICPC like, let them go back and rephrase the charges or even add more, we are not bothered.

Because of them, the accused persons were remanded in prison since Wednesday just for the fear that they will jump bail, but today what happened? Have they not been granted bail as we had earlier requested, this is to show them that their case will not hold water", he said.

The case is however adjourned till October 27th for further hearing.