N11.5bn fraud: EFCC re-arraigns former governor Alao-Akala, 2 others

 The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission re-approved former Oyo State Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala and two other members of an Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan over alleged fraud 11.5 billion naira.   The Nigerian news agency reports that the other defendants are a former state commissioner at Oyo for local government and chieftaincy issues, Senator Hosea Agboola; and a businessman based in Ibadan, Femi Babalola.   The defendants face 11 counts following a conspiracy, granting a budget-free contract, obtaining false pretenses, acquiring property with money from an illegal act and concealing the ownership of such property. property, among others.
EFCC’s counsel, Dr. B. Ubi,  told the court that when Alao-Akala was the governor of Oyo State,  he awarded a  road contract worth N8.5bn between 2007 and 2009 to Pentagon Engineering Services.  Ubi alleged that the firm, owned by Babalola, handled the contract on behalf of the 33 local governments without budgetary provision.

The counsel further claimed that Alao-Akala ordered the supply of drilling machines on behalf of the 33 local governments in the state to the tune of N3.5bn.  He also alleged that Alao-Akala conspired with Ayoola to withdraw N2.9bn from Oyo State Local Government Joint Account. The prosecutor told the court that Alao-Akala also illegally acquired some property on Old Bodija road, off Rotimi Williams road,  when he was the governor of the state.

He said the offences contravened Section 22 (4) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act and Section 1 (18) of the Advanced Fee Fraud Act.  The defendants, however,  pleaded not guilty to the charges.  Mr. Hakeem Afolabi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and counsel to Alao-Akala and Babaloa prayed the court to exercise its discretion in granting bail to the defendants.

Afolabi said the charge before the court was not a fresh one but a re-arraignment.  He said the matter was first filed on October 11, 2011 before Justice Moshood Abas and bail was granted after the defendants met the conditions.

Justice Muniru Owolabi granted the defendants’ prayers and adjourned the case till  April 16 for trial.Räägi sõbrale... #AFRICA ... spill TEA ABOUT THE TOPIC ABOVE.... Easy on Shade #jaiyeorie