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The Pro-Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Sen. Adeseye Ogunlewe, has lost his bid to quash the corruption charges levied against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Ogunlewe, a former Minister of Works and Housing, is standing trial alongside the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Olusola Oyewole and Mr. Moses Olusola Ilesanmi for alleged misappropriation of the university’s funds.
Justice O. C. Majekodunmi of an Ogun State High Court on Thursday dismissed the application by the trio seeking to quash the charges.
Counsel to Ogunlewe, who is the first accused in the matter, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), leading other counsel had approached the court earlier seeking to quash the charges against the first accused, Senator Ogunlewe, on the grounds that the charges are bad for misjoinder of offences, misjoinder of offenders and for duplicity; that the proof of evidence produced by the complainant does not link the first accused with the aforesaid counts nor does it disclose any prima facie against the first accused person; and that the consent of the Attorney General of Ogun State/Law officer was not obtained as required by law before filing the charge.
At the resumed hearing of the matter, after the adoption of the written addresses made by parties, Justice Majekodunmi ruled in favour of the EFCC as he dismissed all the grounds raised by first accused defence counsel.
The prosecution counsel, Dr. Ben Ubi, thereafter sought for commencement of trial. He informed the court that there were three witnesses in court ready to testify but all the counsel to the three accused person sought for an adjournment on the ground that they were just been served additional proof of evidence and would need time to study the documents. The court conceded to their application and adjourned the case to March 8 and 10, 2017 for the commencement of trial
The trio were arraigned on Friday, November 25, 2016 on an 18-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, obtaining money by false pretence and abuse of office.