Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon Bamidele Oleyeloogun before the state High Court in Akure, the state capital over alleged fraud.
The arraignment yesterday marked the official trial of the head of the state legislature.
Also arraigned before the court was the lawmaker representing Akoko South-West Constituency 2, Hon Felemu Bankole, and a civil servant Segun Oyadeyi Bankole. The speaker alongside others was docked on two-count charge of fraud.
They however pleaded not guilty to the allegations levelled against them.
During the trial, the counsel to the EFCC, Kingsley Kudus asked the court to remand the defendants at the Olokuta Correctional Facility.
Reacting, counsel to the defendants, Femi Emodamore, who told the court that he was fully prepared for the commencement and continuation of the trial, asked the court to strike out EFCC’s prayer for remand.
He added that the administrative bail application on the defendants was still active.
Emodamore explained that the second defendant (Oleyelogun) was having a health challenge that needed urgent medical attention.
He also asked the court to caution the nominal complainant ( Iroju Ogundeji) in the case for allegedly sending messages to the speaker in an attempt to annoy him.
According to him, if Ogundeji did not desist from such action, he would be prosecuted as his actions towards the speaker is against the law.
In his ruling, Justice Adegboyega Adebusoye asked the defendants to be enjoying their administrative bail till the next hearing. The trial judge, however, adjourned the case till May 18, 2023 for the trial proper.
