Former governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala has been granted bail for ₦500 million with two sureties in the like sum in a corruption case filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Moshood Abass of the State High Court also ruled on Thursday that the sureties must have landed properties in the Ibadan GRA and must swear affidavit of means.
The EFCC had on Monday arraigned Alao-Akala, along with two of his aides, Hosea Agboola and Femi Babalola at the State High Court over an 11-count charge.
Abass also granted bail for Agboola and Babalola for ₦200 million each with two sureties who would fulfil the same terms as that of Alao-Akala.
EFCC lead counsel prosecuting the case, Godwin Obla, objected to the bail because the offences were severe, saying “the more severe the offence, the greater the temptation of the accused persons to jump bail”.
Ruling on the application, the trial judge said that the former governor was granted bail on self recognition and because of his ill-health, had tendered a medical report indicating that he was hypertensive.
Abass also explained that he granted bail to Agboola and Babalola because on seven occasions, they had been invited by the EFCC and granted bail and thus felt they would not jump bail if granted this time around.
He said that Agboola was a serving senator of the Federal Republic and could not therefore jump bail.
Counsel to the three accused persons, Bolaji Ayorinde, and the EFCC counterpart, Obla commended the ruling.
Akala told reporters, after the court session, that he thanked God that the court did not allow his fundamental human rights to be violated.
supporters and admirers of the former governor jubilated outside the court premises, on hearing the judge’s ruling.
Mr Agboola was the former commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, during Akala’s tenure while Babalola is the managing director, Jogor Event Centre, Ibadan and a contractor largely patronised by the state government.
According to EFCC, the trio are charged for conspiracy, contracts scam and other criminal acts including acquiring property in Nigeria and United Kingdom, thereby defrauding the state government to the tune of more than ₦20 billion.
Alao-Akala, along with two of his aides, Hosea Agboola and Femi Babalola is standing trial for defrauding the state government of more than ₦20 billion
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about this,
ReplyDeletelike you wrote the book in it or something.
I think that you could do with a few pics to drive the message home a
little bit, but instead of that, this is magnificent blog. An excellent read.
I'll certainly be back.
Look at my homepage: free music downloads - twitter.com,