EFCC CHARGES ONDO SPEAKER AND TWO OTHERS WITH FRAUD

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged Ondo State House of Assembly Speaker Hon. Bamidele Oloyeloogun and two others with fraud before the State High Court in Akure.

Along with the speaker, Felemu Bankole, a lawmaker from Akoko South/West Constituency 1, and Segun Oyadeyi Bankole, a government servant, were arraigned.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.

Kingsley Kudus, counsel for the EFCC, asked the court to send the defendants to the Olokuta Correctional Facility in Akure. Furthermore, they contended that even though they had pleaded not guilty, the defendants remained in the custody of the court while the trial was ongoing.

Femi Emodamori, the defendants' counsel, stated that he was completely prepared for the trial to begin and continue. And asked the court to dismiss the EFCC's request for remand, citing the defendants' ongoing administrative bail application.

He explained that the second defendant, Oleyeloogun, was suffering from a medical problem that required immediate medical attention.

In addition, Emodamori requested that the court caution the nominal complainant, Hon. Iroju Ogundeji, the State's former Deputy Speaker in the case, for allegedly sending bothersome communications to the present Speaker.

"If Ogundeji does not desist from such action," Emodamori stated, "he will be prosecuted."