The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Bamidele Oleyelogun, and two others before the Ondo State High Court for N2.4 million fraud.

The Speaker was arraigned before Justice Adegboyega Adebusoye on Tuesday, April 25, alongside two others – Felemu Olusegun Gudubankole, Chairman, House Committee on Tertiary Institutions, and Oyadeji Oludeji, Secretary to the House Committee on Tertiary Institutions.

They were arraigned by the Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC on a two count charge bordering on conspiracy and using their office to confer corrupt or unfair advantage on themselves.

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Oleyelogun, Gudubankole, and Oludeji were alleged to have conspired among themselves to engage in corrupt practices by receiving and retaining the sum of N2.4 million which was meant for a seminar which they never attended.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them.

The prosecution counsel, K.U. Udus, prayed the court for a trial date and remand the defendants.

However, counsel to the defendants, F.E. Emodamore, urged the court to discountenance EFCC’s prayer and allow the defendants to continue on their administrative bail, claiming that one of the defendants had health challenge that requires medical attention.

Justice Adebusoye, therefore, ruled that the defendants should continue on their administrative bail and adjourned the matter till May 18, 2023, for trial.

The Star