>
Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday, arraigned the Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Bamidele Oleyeloogun, before a state high court in Akure over alleged N2.4 million fraud.
He was arraigned alongside the lawmaker representing Akoko South West Constituency I, Felemu Bankole, and a civil servant in the state, Segun Bankole, over a two-count charge
The alleged fraud was said to have been perpetrated when four lawmakers of the assembly were supposed attend a two-day seminar organised by the National Productivity Centre, Lagos, between December 11 and 12, 2019, but which did not take place.
Those penciled down to attend the seminar were the former clerk, the deputy speaker, the chairman of the House Committee on Tertiary Education, and two members of the committee.
The sum of N2.4 milion released by the state’s Ministry of Finance was alleged to have gone into private pockets.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Counsel to EFCC, Kingsley Kudus, prayed the court to remand the defendants at the Olokuta correctional facility.
But the defence counsel, Femi Emodamore, objected and urged the court to allow the defendants to continue enjoying the administrative bail granted to them.
He explained that Oleyeloogun was having a health challenge that needed urgent medical attention.
Emodamore also asked the court to caution the nominal complainant, the former deputy speaker of the assembly, Iroju Ogundeji, for allegedly sending infuriating messages to the Speaker.
Ruling, Justice Adegboyega Adebusoye said the defendants should continue to enjoy their administrative bail and adjourned the case till May 18 for a hearing.