EFCC quizzes former Ondo LG boss, 3 others over alleged SURE-P fraud

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibadan Zonal Office, has quizzed a former chairman of Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State, Mr Akinsola Adu, as well as three of his principal officers, for alleged case of stealing and abuse of office.

According to a statement made available to Saturday Tribune by the EFCC, the quizzed principal officers included Taiwo Aladesuyi, Adefisoye Tua Agboola and Dare Alao.

The  former chairman and his principal officers were alleged to have misappropriated the sum of N60 million, which was the money released to the local government by the Ondo State government from the Re-investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

It was alleged that virtually the entire sum was transferred to a personal account as the EFCC, however, revealed that investigation was still ongoing to establish how the fund was actually disbursed and verify the projects for which it was purportedly released.

The suspects, according to the anti-graft agency, would be arraigned in court if on the conclusion of investigation, a prima-facie case is established against them.

In another development, the EFCC, on Friday, arraigned four suspected internet fraudsters; Omosehin  Sina, Oladimeji Oladayo, Olowosagba Olamilekan Samson and Afilaka Oluwole  Michael, before Justice Ayo Emmanuel of the Federal High Court 1, sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, on different and separate count charges, bordering on  possession of documents containing false pretence, respectively.

While Omolehin and Oladimeji were arraigned on a six-count charge, Olowosagba and Afilaka were docked for four and three-count charge respectively. The suspects, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

In view of their plea, the prosecuting counsel, Harrison Ibekwute, approached the judge for a trial date and since there was no application for bail before the court, the judge remanded them in Agodi prison, while adjourning the hearing of the case till October 31, for commencement of trial.