Court grants Ogun Speaker, others bail over alleged fraud

The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, granted the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo, N300 million bail with two sureties in like sum.

Oluomo was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alongside the Director of Finance, Ogun State House of Assembly, Oladayo Samuel and the Clerk of the House, Adeyemo Adedeji Taiwo, on 11-count charge bordering on money laundering.

They were alleged of conspiracy, stealing, forgery and fraud of N4.4 billion.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

After their plea, counsel to the Speaker, Mr. Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), told the court that he had filed bail application, but there was delay owing to correction in the title of the application.

He, therefore, prayed the court to allow the Speaker, who is a public servant, contesting for the seat of the House of Assembly in 2023 general elections, remain in the custody of the EFCC pending the perfection of his bail conditions.

He assured the court of his client’s presence throughout the course of the trial.

Also, counsel to the second and third defendants, Akinyemi Aremu and Oluwole Aladedoyin, urged the court to grant the defendants bail in liberal and affordable terms.

BUT in a response, EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, said: “I have been served the advance copy of the bail applications. And in view of the serious undertakings that the defendants will be present in court, I will hand over the decision to the court.

“However, I urge your lordship to make such conditions and terms that will ensure their attendance in the course of trial.”

Following their plea of not guilty to the offences, Justice Daniel Osiagor, in a short ruling, admitted Oluomo to bail.

He also granted bail to second and third defendants in the sum of N100 million each, with two sureties.

The judge said the sureties must be public servants on Grade Level 14 and should possess landed property within the jurisdiction of the court.

Justice Osiagor, who said the defendants must also provide a three-year tax clearance, ordered that they must deposit their international passports with the court.

He further ruled that the defendants, pending the perfection of their bail, should remain in the EFCC custody for a week.