The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday arraigned the speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Bamidele Oleyelogun before the state High Court in Akure over alleged fraud.
The arraignment marked the beginning of Mr Speaker’s trial.
Also arraigned before the court, were the lawmaker representing Akoko South-West Constituency 2, Felemu Bankole and a civil servant, Segun Oyadeyi Bankole.
Oleyelogun and the other two defendants 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, even though they had pleaded not guilty, the defendants were still in the hands of the court while the trial continues.
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 saying the administrative bail application on the defendants was still active.
He explained that the second defendant (Oleyelogun) was having a health challenge that needed urgent medical attention.
Emodamore also asked the court to caution the nominal complainant (the former deputy speaker, 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 as he adjourned the case till May 18 for proper hearing of the trial.
(THE PRECISION)
