The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, charged the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Oleyelogun David Bamidele, and two others with fraud on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, before Justice Adegboyega Adebusoye of the Ondo State High Court.
Felemu Olusegun Gudubankole, Chairman of the House Committee on Tertiary Institutions, and Oyadeji Oludeji, Secretary of the House Committee on Tertiary Institutions are the other two members.
They were arraigned by the EFCC’s Benin Zonal Command on a two-count charge of conspiracy and exploiting their office to gain a corrupt or unfair advantage.
Oleyelogun, Gudubankole and Kayode are alleged to have conspired amongst themselves to engage in corrupt practices by receiving and retaining the sum of N2,440,000.00 which was meant for a seminar which they never attended.
They pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them, prompting the prosecution counsel , K.U.Udus to ask the court for a trial date and remand the defendants. However, counsel to the defendants, F.E. Emodamore urged the court to discountenance EFCC’s prayer and allow the defendants to continue on their administrative bail, claiming that one of the defendants had health challenge that requires medical attention.
Justice Adebusoye ruled that the defendants should continue on their administrative bail and adjourned the matter till May 18, 2023 for trial.