A High Court in the Oyo State ordered today that the immediate past governor of the state, Adebayo Alao-Akala be remanded in the custody of the State Security Service. Two other persons, Senator Hosea Agboola and Olufemi Ademola Babalola, a business partner of Agboola, were also held alongside the former governor. The trio are to be held until their bail applications are to be heard tomorrow.
The prosecution had requested for 48 hours to prepare to counter the bail application of the accused but presiding judge Mashud Abass ruled against the request, citing facts and circumstances as reasons for denying the prosecution’s request.
“I am not unmindful of the fact that the lead counsel to the prosecution has a serious case in Lagos tomorrow”, said Justice Abass, “But the case we are talking about is equally important as the one this court is entertaining. I am conceding to 24 hours, meaning that the bail argument would be adjourned till tomorrow.”
Former Governor Alao-Akala, Senator Agboola and Olufemi Babalola were arraigned on an 11-count charge of conspiracy to award contract outside of budget provisions. According to the charge sheet number 1/5EFCC/2011, Alao-Akala, Senator Agboola conspired to award contract without budgetary provision, contrary to section 26 (1) (C) and punishable under section 22 (4) of the corrupt practices and other related offences Act 2000.
Parts of the charge sheet stated that “Alao-Akala, whilst being the governor of Oyo State, Senator Agbooola whilst being the commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters and Babalola whilst trading under the name and style of Pentagon Engineering Services between 2007-2009, conspired amongst yourselves to award contract without budget provision for the sum of N,500,000:00 for the construction of roads in the 33 LGs of Oyo State.
“Alao-Akala and Senator Agboola awarded contract in the sum of N2,270,565,000: for the supply of 33 drilling machines on behalf of the 33 local government as well as awarding another contract for the sum of N355,025,000:00 for the supply of 20 Roro trucks and 200 pieces of skip bins without budget provision.
The charge said the trio conspired to obtain by false pretence the net sum of N269, 156, 250:00 from the state local government joint account.
Babalola was single handedly accused of defrauding the state between 2008-2009, by fraudulently obtaining N269,156,250:00 and N347,350,000.
Alao-Akala was accused of engaging in the acquisition of a property known as Ile-Itesiwaju located at 32 Oba Adebimpe Road Old Gbagi Ibadan Oyo State knowing that the money used in acquiring the said property was derived from illegal act as well as acquiring property with money derived from illegal act contrary to section 18 (1) (A) and punishable under section 18 (2) of EFCC Act 2004.
Reports Courtesy: PM News Nigeria