Court grants Ogun Assembly Speaker N300m bail

…Case transferred to Abeokuta for further orders

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos State has on Tuesday docked the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo, over allegations of conspiracy, forgery and stealing of public fund to the tune of N2.5 billion.

The embattled Speaker and three others, were dragged to the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on an 11-count charge bothering on fraud allegation.

The three others were the Clerk of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Taiwo Adeyemo; the Accountant of the House, Samuel Oladayo; and the Director of Finance, Nimot-Amoke Adeyanju.

While Oluomo, Adeyemo and Oladayo appeared in court, Oladayo was said to be at large.

When the charges were read to the three accused person, they pleaded not guilty to the offences.

The court has however granted bail to the Speaker in the sum of N300m with two sureties in like sum, while the two other accused person were also granted bail in the sum of N100m with one surety in like sum.

Justice Daniel Osiagor on Tuesday granted the bail following no objections from the EFCC.

The counsel for the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, had told the court that he would leave the issue of bail solely within the discretion of the court.

The counsel to the Speaker, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, on his part asked the court to admit his client to bail on liberal terms.

In granting bail to the Speaker, Justice Osiagor held that one of his sureties must not be less than a level 16 officer in the Civil Service while the other must possess landed property within the jurisdiction of the court.

The other two accused person must also have as sureties, a civil servant not less than a level 14 Officer, while the other must also possess landed property within the jurisdiction of the court.

All the sureties are to possess three-year tax clearance and swear to an affidavit of means.

All defendants are also to deposit their travel documents with the registrar of the court.

The Court also ordered the defendants to be kept in EFCC custody for a week, pending the perfection of their bail conditions after which they will be transferred to the Abeokuta Division of the court for further orders.