The Movement for Unity and Progress (MUP) led by former Kaduna State Military Administrator, Colonel Abubakar D. Umar (rtd.), has strongly condemned Thursday’s court order remanding immediate past Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, and his two sons in prison custody till September based on a corruption allegation.

“The offence for which Sule Lamido and his two sons were charged is clearly a bailable offence. This is why it appears strange that not only were they refused bail but they are remanded in prison custody for about three months. This means that both Sule and his sons have started serving a prison sentence even before the commencement of their trial,” MUP said in a statement issued yesterday in Kaduna.

Continuing, the group said in the statement signed by Umar: “It behoves on all men of good conscience to appeal to the trial Judge to reconsider this high-handed decision. The principle of the accused being adjudged innocent until proven guilty must apply in this case.

“We are also aware that persons with similar cases had been granted and are being granted bail. “We appeal to the trial judge to temper justice with mercy by granting Governor Sule Lamido and his sons bail.”

•Photo shows Sule Lamido and sons during their arraignment on Thursday in Kano.