EFCC Re-arraigns Ex Governor, Two Others Over Alleged N11.5Billion Fraud
The
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Office,
March 5, 2018, re-arraigned a former governor of Oyo State, Otunba
Adebayo Christopher Alao-Akala, a former Commissioner for Local
Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Hosea Ayoola Agboola as well as
a contractor and Chief Executive of Pentagon Consults, Mr Olufemi
Ademola Babalola before Justice L. M. Owolabi of the State High Court
sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State on an Eleven-count charge bordering on
conspiracy to award contract without budgeting, conspiracy to obtain by
false pretence , acquiring property with money derived from illegal act
and engaging in concealing the genuine nature of the ownership of
property.
The defendants however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.
In view of their plea, prosecution counsel, Dr. Ben Ubi applied for a trial date. However, counsel to the second and third defendants, A.O. Afolabi (SAN) applied that the defendants be allowed to enjoy the earlier bail granted them by the court. Counsel to the first defendant also aligned himself with the submissions of the other counsel.
Justice Owolabi however granted the defendants prayer and adjourned the case to 6th April, 2018 for trial.
One of the charges to which the defendants were arraigned reads: Otumba Adebayo Christopher Alao-Akala, , whilst being the Governor of Oyo State, Hon. Hosea Ayoola Agboola whilst being the commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters and Olufemi Ademola Babalola whilst trading under the name and style of Pentagon Engineering Services within the jurisdiction of this honourable court sometimes between 2007-2009, conspired amongst yourselves to award contract without budget provision for the sum of N8,500,000,000 :00 (Eight Billion, Five Hundred Million Naira) for the construction of roads in the 33 Local Government Council Areas in Oyo State on behalf of the said Local Govt. Council.
Another charge reads: Otunba Adebayo Christopher Alao-Akala, , whilst being the Governor of Oyo State, Hon. Hosea Ayoola Agboola whilst being the commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters and Olufemi Ademola Babalola whilst trading under the name and style of Pentagon Engineering Services within the jurisdiction of this honourable court sometimes between 2007 awarded contract in the sum of N2,270,565,000 :00 (Two Billion, Two Hundred and Seventy Million, Five Hundred and Sixty Five Thousand Naira) for the supply of 33 drilling machines on behalf of all Local Govt. Councils in Oyo State without budgeting provisions.
In view of their plea, prosecution counsel, Dr. Ben Ubi applied for a trial date. However, counsel to the second and third defendants, A.O. Afolabi (SAN) applied that the defendants be allowed to enjoy the earlier bail granted them by the court. Counsel to the first defendant also aligned himself with the submissions of the other counsel.
Justice Owolabi however granted the defendants prayer and adjourned the case to 6th April, 2018 for trial.
One of the charges to which the defendants were arraigned reads: Otumba Adebayo Christopher Alao-Akala, , whilst being the Governor of Oyo State, Hon. Hosea Ayoola Agboola whilst being the commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters and Olufemi Ademola Babalola whilst trading under the name and style of Pentagon Engineering Services within the jurisdiction of this honourable court sometimes between 2007-2009, conspired amongst yourselves to award contract without budget provision for the sum of N8,500,000,000 :00 (Eight Billion, Five Hundred Million Naira) for the construction of roads in the 33 Local Government Council Areas in Oyo State on behalf of the said Local Govt. Council.
Another charge reads: Otunba Adebayo Christopher Alao-Akala, , whilst being the Governor of Oyo State, Hon. Hosea Ayoola Agboola whilst being the commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters and Olufemi Ademola Babalola whilst trading under the name and style of Pentagon Engineering Services within the jurisdiction of this honourable court sometimes between 2007 awarded contract in the sum of N2,270,565,000 :00 (Two Billion, Two Hundred and Seventy Million, Five Hundred and Sixty Five Thousand Naira) for the supply of 33 drilling machines on behalf of all Local Govt. Councils in Oyo State without budgeting provisions.
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