PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa, taking a sympathetic view towards the financial issues faced by an alleged drug peddler, has slightly modified his bail conditions.
Nigerian Togo Chigozie Ozoemena, who in 2019 was arrested by Calangute Police for allegedly peddling drugs, was granted bail on November 4, 2020 subject to certain conditions.
One of these conditions directed him to be released on bail on executing personal bond for Rs 50,000 and on furnishing two sureties out of which one local surety, each for the like sum, to the satisfaction of the Additional Sessions Judge-I, Mapusa.
The Nigerian approached the High Court seeking modification of this condition citing he has no secured source of income. Besides, he has found it extremely difficult to secure two sureties both of whom are required to execute PR Bonds of Rs 50,000 each. As the condition is onerous, according to him; unless it is modified, he cannot take advantage of the bail. In other words, it may amount to denial of the bail. The government had however opposed any modifications.
The Bench of Justice Dama Seshadri Naidu, on hearing both the parties observed that indeed, the applicant is a foreign national and that though this bail was granted on November 4, 2020, because of his impecunious conditions and his inability to secure two sureties, he still remains in the jail. As such, the Bench modified the first condition of the bail order to the effect that it will suffice if the foreigner furnishes one local surety for 50,000.
