The judge admitted Turnah to bail in the sum of N300 million, and two sureties in like sum. Aside the paramount ruler, whose office should be recognised by the Government of the State and his letter of authority verified and deposited in the court; the other surety should be an owner of a landed property which original Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) should be deposited with the Registry of the court.

Also, Turnah’s international passport or travel document should be deposited with the registry of the court and “the first defendant shall not travel outside Nigeria without leave of the court.” All the sureties shall sign affidavit of means and bail bond and the first defendant shall be remanded in prison custody pending the perfection of his bail.

Turnah and his seven companies: El Godmas Global Servises Limited; Turnoil and Gas Nigeria Limited; Kolo Creek Petroleum Development Limited ; Celtic Pride Consult and Events; Yenagoa Mall, Adaka Boro Marine Services Limited and Sugarland Intergrated farms Nigeria Limited) were arraigned on a 12-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretense, money laundering and abuse of office to the tune of N3.094 billion.

Justice Watila adjourned the matter to June 30, 2017 for commencement of trial

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The protesters, under the aegis of Niger Delta Volunteer Services Scheme, and Celtic Pride and Event Limited (employees of Turnah), poured encomiums on the EFCC for “its tireless efforts against corruption” and for prosecuting George Turnah, whom they accused of “inflicting pain and suffering” on them and making them to be “primary victims of corruption”.

Henry Eniye Smith, coordinator of the group, called for the speedy trial of Turnah. “We humbly appeal to the trial judge, Justice Ibrahim Watilat for speedy trial against corrupt individuals(sic) to alleviate our pains and suffering for the sake of justice and our social development”, he said

Some of the placards carried by the protesters read: “Enough is Enough in Niger Delta”; “Thank you EFCC”; “George Turnah must return the money that is meant for the development of the youths”; “Pay us, George Turnah”; “Celtic Pride, Pay us our Pending salary”; “Thank God for Magu” and “EFCC, help us to retrieve our seized salary from former S.A youth to NDDC.”

Smith also pressed for the confirmation of the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu. “We hereby use this medium to direct(sic) the National Assembly as a matter of urgency to duly confirm Magu as a substantive Chairman of EFCC for more effective service”, he said.

The protesters were received by Mrs. Akpos Ekisowei of the Public Affairs Department on behalf of the EFCC, who promised to convey their message to the appropriate authorities.

Turnah, is standing trial before a Federal High Court sitting PortHarcourt on a 12-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, money laundering and abuse of office.

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The protesters, mostly youths, under the aegis of “Egbeyin Congress and Ogbia Brotherhood Council” and led by one Comrade Dan Igbe, said that they were protesting in support of Turnah, who they alleged “was being humiliated by the EFCC”.

According to Igbe, “we will not allow George Turnah to be killed like the former CSO to former President Goodluck Jonathan”

He also said his group “will never again allow its leaders to be humiliated by the EFCC”, stressing that “the EFCC’s investigation is one-sided because it is only investigating Niger Delta leaders”.

The Ogbia Brotherhood Council, headed by Comrade Nathaniel M. Goodnews stated that Turnah was their hope and that the EFCC should “let George Turnah go”.

In his response, Salihu said that the EFCC was a law-abiding agency and impartial in its investigation, stressing that “There is nothing political about the case of George Turnah or any other case we are doing here.

“We cannot be stampeded, rushed, intimidated to arrive at an unjust course. Justice should be allowed to run its course. We will continue to do our job without fear or favour, affection or ill will and the Commission will not leave any stone unturned in doing its job”, he said.

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