AKURE, Nigeria – In a move that has stunned political observers, the speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Bamidele Oloyelogun, alongside another lawmaker and staff members of the Assembly, have been arraigned over alleged fraudulent practices by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Felemu Bankole, who represent Akoko South-West Constituency 2, and Segun Bankole, and a staff member of the Assembly, were also arraigned alongside the speaker.
The EFCC was acting in compliance with a directive given by Justice Adegboyega Adebusoye of Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure in February, who ordered the agency to prosecute the speaker and other suspects over the alleged fraud.
During the trial on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, the EFCC’s counsel, Kingsley Kudus, asked the court to remand the defendants to prison custody, claiming that the defendants were still with the EFCC.
Femi Emodamori, counsel for the defendants, asked the court to dismiss the EFCC’s request for remand but noted that the defendants’ administrative bail application was still pending.
He also claimed that the second defendant (the Speaker) was ill and required immediate medical attention.
In his ruling, Justice Adegboyega Adebusoye asked the defendants to remain on administrative bail until the next hearing. He adjourned the case until May 18, 2023 for a proper trial hearing.
The case has caused widespread shock and dismay among the people of Ondo State, with many calling for an independent investigation into the alleged fraudulent practices.
The EFCC has assured the public that it will do everything possible to ensure justice is done.
