Odinga Refused Bail

The Osu Community Tribunal yesterday refused Albert Hamid Odinga, a Belize national, bail.

Odinga is being held by the security agencies for alleged counter intelligence activities in the country.

The plea for bail by his counsel Wahid Iddrisu was not taken because the prosecution argued that granting him bail could impede further investigation into his case.

Mrs. Ivy Heward-Mills Chairman of the tribunal subsequently remanded Odinga in Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) custody to re-appear on 21ST June 2001.

Chief Inspector Magaret Awuni, the prosecutor, said there was the need to conduct further investigations into his activities because Odinga claimed in his statement that he was a journalist, but could not furnish the prosecution with the name of the media house or its location.

He is standing trial on a preliminary charge of giving 'False Reports Injuring the Reputation of the State under Section 185 (I) of Act 29 of 1960'.

Odinga 59, arrived in court at 12.35 noon on the same vehicle with two Nigerians who are also on remand in BNI custody

The Nigerian would also re-appear on June 21st 2001 on separate charges of drug trafficking and armed robbery.

Moments after the case was adjourned Odinga sporting an all black jumper momentarily smiled and waved to some acquaintances and other litigants who were curious to catch a glimpse of him.

That was after he had left the court room sandwiched by his lawyer and people alleged to be to be revolutionary cadres.

As he stepped out of the court premises, Odinga jokingly flung his hands at the television cameramen who were taking shots of him. Looking unperturbed he clenched his fist on several occasions and gave the victory sign to bystanders who had then swelled in number by the vehicle before they were whisked away.