The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned Ondo State House Of Assembly Speaker, Hon. Bamidele Oloyeloogun and two others before the State High Court sitting in Akure for alleged fraud.
Also arraigned along with the speaker, is a lawmaker representing Akoko South/West Constituency 1, Felemu Bankole, and Segun Oyadeyi Bankole, a civil servant.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the allegations levelled against them.
Counsel to the EFCC, Kingsley Kudus, told the court to remand the defendants at the Olokuta Correctional Facility in Akure. And further argued that though they had pleaded not guilty, the defendants were still in the hands of the court while the trial continued.
The defendants’ counsel, Femi Emodamori, said he was fully prepared for the commencement and continuation of the trial. And prayed to the court to strike out EFCC’s prayer for remand, stating that the administrative bail application on the defendants was still active.
He explained that the second defendant Oleyeloogun was having a health challenge that needed urgent medical attention.
Also, Emodamori asked the court to caution the nominal complainant, Hon. Iroju Ogundeji, the State’s former Deputy Speaker in the case, for allegedly sending annoying messages to the current Speaker.
Emodamori said, “if Ogundeji does not desist from such action, he will be prosecuted.”
Justice Adegboyega Adebusoye, in his ruling, asked the defendants to grant the defendants administrative bail till the next hearing.
He adjourned the case till 18 of May 2023 for a proper hearing.
