The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday, arraigned the speaker of the Ondo State House Of Assembly, Bamidele Oloyeloogun, before the state High Court sitting in Akure, over allegations of fraud.
Apart from the speaker, also brought before the court were, the lawmaker representing Akoko South-West Constituency 1, Felemu Bankole and a civil servant, Segun Oyadeyi Bankole
The arraignment, which was the beginning of the official trial of Oleyelogun and other accused persons, saw them being docked on two-count charges involving fraud.
The people were accused of misappropriating N2.4m belonging to the Assembly.
The three accused persons however pleaded not guilty to the allegations brought against them.
At the commencement of the trial, counsel to the EFCC, Kingsley Kudus, asked the court to remand the defendants at the Olokuta Correctional Facility.
He argued that though they had pleaded not guilty, the defendants were still in the hands of the court for the period that the trial would last.
But the defendants’ counsel, Femi Emodamore, opposed the application of the anti-graft agency, saying the administrative bail granted to the defendants was still active.
While praying for the court to strike out the EFCC’s application, the counsel said he was fully prepared for the commencement and continuation of the trial.
Emodamoree also told the court that the Speaker needed to continue to enjoy the administrative bail because he was having a health challenge that needed urgent medical attention.
The counsel also asked the court to caution the nominal complainant in the case, who is also a former deputy speaker of the state House of Assembly, Iroju Ogundeji, for allegedly sending messages to the speaker in an attempt to annoy him.
He threatened to commence the prosecution of Ogundeji if he did not desist from such action, saying such actions towards the Oleyelogun were against the law.
In his ruling, Justice Adegboyega Adebusoye adjourned the matter to May 18, 2023, for a proper hearing of the trial.
He however ruled against the application of the EFCC, saying that the defendants should continue to enjoy their administrative bail till the next hearing.
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