The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on
Monday re-arraigned a former governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala, and two
others in an Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan over alleged N11.5 billion
fraud.
It was gathered that the other defendants are a former Oyo
State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Senator Hosea
Agboola, and an Ibadan-based businessman, Femi Babalola.
EFCC’s counsel, Dr B. Ubi, told the court that when
Alao-Akala was Oyo State governor, he awarded a road contract worth N8.5
billion between 2007 and 2009 to Pentagon Engineering Services.
Ubi told the court further that the firm owned by Babalola
handled the contract on behalf of the 33 local governments without budgetary
provision.
He claimed that Alao-Akala ordered the supply of drilling
machines on behalf of the 33 local governments in the state to the tune of N3.5
billion.
He also alleged that Alao-Akala conspired with Ayoola to
withdraw N2.9 billion from Oyo State Local Government Joint Account.
The defendants are facing an 11-count charge of conspiracy,
awarding contract without budgetary provision, obtaining by false pretence,
acquiring property with money derived from illegal act and concealing the
ownership of such property, among other charges.
The prosecutor told the court that the former governor also
illegally acquired some property on Old Bodija road, off Rotimi Williams road,
when he was at the helm of affairs.
He added that the offences contravened Section 22 (4) of the
Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act and Section 1 (18) of the
Advanced Fee Fraud Act.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Counsel to Alao-Akala and Babaloa, Mr Hakeem Afolabi, a
Senior Advocate of Nigeria prayed the court to exercise its discretion in
granting bail to the defendants.
Afolabi said that the charge before the court was not a
fresh one but a re-arraignment, adding that the matter was first filed on Oct.
11, 2011, before Justice Moshood Abas and bail was granted after the defendants
met the conditions.
It will be recalled that the defendants had also appeared
before Justice Akintunde Boade and Justice Bayo Taiwo who was recently
transferred out of Ibadan Division.
Afolabi said that Alao-Akala was granted bail in the sum of
N5 million with two sureties in like sum while the other defendants were
granted bail in the sum of N3 million each with two sureties in like sum.
He urged the court to allow the defendants to enjoy the
earlier bail condition granted to the defendants.
Counsel to Ayoola, Mr Richard Ogunwole, also a Senior
Advocate of Nigeria aligned with the submission of Alao-Akala’s counsel.
The EFCC counsel however said he would not oppose the bail
applications.
Justice Muniru Owolabi granted the defendants’
prayers and adjourned the case till April 16 for trial.
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