EFCC arraigns Ondo speaker over ‘N2.4m fraud’

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday arraigned the Speaker of the Ondo state house of assembly, Hon. Bamidele Oloyelogun, over allegations of fraud.

Oloyelogun was arraigned alongside a lawmaker representing the Akoko south-west constituency 2, Felemu Bankole, and a staff of the assembly, Segun Bankole.

A former deputy speaker of the assembly, Hon. Iroju Ogundeji, had petitioned the EFCC, alleging that the defendants conspired to share N2.4 million meant for a seminar in Lagos which they never attended.

Ogundeji said the seminar which was scheduled for December 11 and 12, 2019, “was aimed at institutional productivity, consciousness and excellence in service among workers and organisations in both public and private sectors, to accord workers and organisations the platform in achieving high productivity as well as giving impetus to the seminar in charting the pathway in revitalizing the educational sector”.

However, the petitioner alleged that no such seminar was organised and that the N2.4 million released by the state ministry of finance went to private pockets.

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The defendants pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge preferred against them.

After the plea, counsel to EFCC, Kingsley Kudus, prayed the court to remand the defendants at a correctional facility.

However, counsel to the defendants, Femi Emodamore, opposed the prosecutor’s prayer and urged the court to allow his clients to remain on administrative bail.

He told the court that the speaker is experiencing health challenges and needed urgent medical attention.

Emodamore also asked the court to caution the nominal complainant, Ogundeji, for allegedly sending provocative messages to the speaker.

In his ruling, the presiding judge, Justice Adegboyega Adebusoye, held that the defendants should continue to enjoy their administrative bail till the next hearing.

He adjourned the matter to May 18 for trial to commence.