Contractor Sarah Discaya and eight co-accused have filed an urgent motion seeking their return to the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) from the Lapu-Lapu City Jail.

In a report by Jecelle Ricafort, NBI spokesperson Palmer Mallari said that Discaya also appealed to be allowed to attend court hearings via video conferencing should the transfer back to NBI custody be approved.

Mallari added that the eight co-accused of Discaya—officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)—have likewise filed a similar motion.

According to Mallari, the court has directed the Office of the Ombudsman–Visayas and the NBI to submit their comments on the motion within 10 days.

The case stems from graft and malversation charges in connection with the alleged P96.5 million ghost flood control project in Davao Occidental.

Discaya and her eight co-accused were transferred from NBI custody to Cebu on Friday and are currently detained at the Lapu-Lapu City Jail.

Prior to her transfer, Sarah Discaya appeared before the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday morning for the preliminary investigation into her P7.18-billion tax evasion case.