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An Akure High Court has granted the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) the leeway to prosecute the Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Mr David Oleyeloogun and some lawmakers for alleged fraud.

Justice Adegboyega Adebusuyi granted the order sequel to the application by lawyer to the anti graft commission, Mr. Fredrick Dibang seeking the prosecution of the lawmakers for an alleged fraud committed in 2019.

Aside Oleyeloogun, other lawmakers which the EFCC got an order to prosecute for alleged fraud included Felemu Bankole, and a staff of the House of Assembly, Mr. Olusegun Kayode.

The lawmakers had through their counsel, Dr Remi Olatubora SAN asked the court to strike out the charges against them over the failure of the EFCC to comply with the Practice Direction of the State judiciary which made it compulsory for federal government agencies to get consent of the judiciary before they can prosecute in state courts.

In order to prevent the charges against the lawmakers from been struck out by the court, the EFCC in its application sought the court’s permission to prosecute in conformity with the Practice Direction of the judiciary.

The alleged fraud being prosecuted by the EFCC was said to have been committed in 2019, when the lawmakers were supposed to have attended a two-day seminar organised by the National Productivity Centre, Lagos.

In the information filed by the EFCC, was the lawmakers requested for fund to be released for four members of the Committee on Tertiary Education to attend the seminar scheduled for Wednesday 11th and Thursday 12th December, 2019.

Those penciled down to attend the Seminar included the former Clerk, the Deputy Speaker, the Chairman of the House Committee on Tertiary Education and two members of the committee.

According to the details in the document requesting for fund, “the seminar was aimed at institutional productivity, consciousness and excellence in service among workers and organisations in both public and private sectors, to accord workers and organizations the platform in achieving high productivity as well as giving impetus to the seminar in charting the pathway in revitalizing the Educational Sector.”

However, it was discovered that there was no such seminar organised, while the money released by the state Ministry of Finance amounting to N2.4million, was alleged to have gone into private pockets.

The counsel to the EFCC, Dibang said the anti-graft commission supposed to arraign the lawmakers and the civil servants in the court yesterday but needed the court’s permission which has now been obtained.

Justice Adebusuyi who granted the order asked the anti graft agency to serve the lawmakers with fresh charges against them. He fixed the hearing to October 27.

Credit: CREST FM

The Chairman Ilaje Local Government, Hon. Olamigoke Jatuwase has described the information going round on social media platforms that the point of sale (POS)in the local government would be paying the sum of N1500 monthly tax as not only spurious but devilish tactics to pitch the masses against the government.

The LG boss in a release made available to newsmen by his Special Adviser on Media Sadare Taiwo said : “Let it be known to the general public or residents of Ilaje Local Government Area that the said information is not true but a fake news and it doesn’t emanate from the local Government authority.”

“It added that the letter headed paper used in spreading this spurious, mendacious and untrue information is not an official letter head paper of Ilaje Local Government; it was fabricated and Mr Chairman never gave his vice Chairman any order to issue such a forged circular.”

“I never discussed such matter with the vice Chairman or issued any circular on the fake information.”

He therefore advised operators of POS in Ilaje Local Government Area and the general public to ignore and disregard such fake information with fabricated official letter paper. “This is the true position of Ilaje Local Government on the matter,he said .

•Charges Universities To Acquire New Knowledge On Megaprojects

Chairman of the Southern Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has decried the spate of abandoned projects in Nigeria.

Governor Akeredolu said abandoning projects at this critical period in the economic life of the country is not cost-effective.

The Governor, who identified corruption, resource control, project goals, contractor selection and supervision as some of the major challenges behind abandoned projects, noted that a reasonable government must work towards achieving a successful completion of projects in its state.

Governor Akeredolu spoke on Saturday at the First Business Doctorate Degree of the University of Cambridge Graduation Ceremony held at the University’s Arms Hotel, United Kingdom.

The Governor, who was a guest speaker, described Megaproject as an excellent accelerator if properly planned and executed.

Governor Akeredolu spoke on the topic: ”The Paradox Of Abandoned Megaprojects In Nigeria.”

He said: ”The Ondo State Government, under our leadership, has completed several megaprojects. These projects exacted considerable pressure on the severely lean resources of the State. These megaprojects have gobbled billions of Naira.

“While some have been completed and delivered, several others, some of which are complex, may take over five years or so to be completed. Our administration has continued to construct roads, bridges, among other infrastructures.

“We made a solemn pledge on assumption of office that we would complete all projects abandoned by our predecessors in office. We are not unaware of the acute paucity of funds for the execution of projects.

“We are, however, poised to fulfill our promise as best as the financial situation permits. We intend to complete all projects in the lifetime of our government. We do not intend to handover any abandoned project to our successor.

“Megaprojects, such as the Ore Bridge, provide the necessary support for government deliverables and economic transformation, which is readily discernible in our GDP. So, where it is properly planned and executed, megaproject is an excellent development accelerator.

“Given the resources such a project can take, abandoning projects at this critical period of our economic lives is not cost effective. The challenges are not only limited to developing countries as over £30 billion (British pounds) has been spent on the Cross-rail Project in England without completion. This is a terrible example of a project going bad in developed countries.

“Specific to Nigeria and as pointed out in the thesis, just three abandoned projects equal 60% of our national debt. The Lagos-Badagry Express Road, the Ajaokuta Steel Project, and the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) Project. At all times, the Federal Government abandoned 60% of every project and the Nigeria National Library, where over N200 billion has been spent, is abandoned. The project is on the 5th floor of a 13-floor building project.

“The Federal Government has been on site for over 25 years without meaningful progress. Again, the megaproject takes around 10% of global GDP and over $9 trillion yearly. It is the case that Universities globally should rise to the challenges of acquiring and engaging new knowledge on megaprojects.”

The Governor also congratulated the Billionaire businessman, Jimoh Ibrahim, who obtained the Doctor of Business Degree of the University.

“I am told it is the first time the University of Cambridge will be awarding her first Doctor of Business Degree in the last over 800 years.” Governor Akeredolu said.

He noted that the incredible performance of Dr. Jimoh at the University of Cambridge comes with hard work and commitment to primary goals, adding that the business mogul has invested time in the institution.

Richard Olatunde
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.
July 23, 2022.