The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arraigned Speaker of Ondo House of Assembly, Bamidele Oloyeloogun, and a lawmaker representing Akoko South-West Constituency II, Felemu Bankole, before the State High Court over alleged N2.4m fraud.
The Speaker and the lawmaker had allegedly collected the N2.4million to attend a two-day seminar organised by National Productivity Centre in Lagos in 2019.
Though the seminar never held, EFCC said they failed to return the money to government’s coffers.
They were arraigned by on two-count charged bordering on fraud by the EFCC.
When they were arraigned on Tuesday, the two defendants pleaded not guilty to the allegations
However, EFCC lawyer asked the court to remand the defendants the defendants in Olokuta Correctional Centre while the trial lasted.
But Counsel to the defendants, Femi Emodamori, opposed the prayer.
He said the administrative bail application on the defendants was still active.
He added that the Ondo Speaker had health challenges that needed urgent medical attention.
Consequently, Justice Adegboyega Adebusoye ruled that the defendants should continue enjoying their administrative bail.
He adjourned hearing of the case to May 18, 2023.
