N800Million FUNNAB Fraud: Ogunlewe Loses Bid To Quash Trial
Omooba Risawe
The embattled former Minister of Works and Housing,who doubles as ex Pro-Chancellor,Federal University of Agriculture,Funnab, Abeokuta, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe has lost bid to quash a case over his trial in a criminal case of alleged N800million misappropriation.
Ogunlewe is standing trial alongside Prof Olusola Oyewole, the Vice Chancellor and Mr. Moses Olusola Ilesanmi,(Bursar) at an Abeokuta High Court, Abeokuta.
He had approached the court earlier seeking to quash the charges against him on the grounds that the charges are bad for misjoinder of offences, misjoinder of offenders and for duplicity.
The accused through his counsel,Tayo Oyetibo also argued that the proof of evidence produced by the complainant does not link him with the aforesaid counts nor does it disclose any prima facie against him; and that the consent of the Attorney General of Ogun State/Law officer was not obtained as required by law before filing the charge.
However, at the resumed hearing of the matter, after the adoption of the written addresses made by parties, Justice O.C Majekodunmi delivered a ruling on the application before the court in favour of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
All the grounds raised by Ogunlewe(first accused) defence counsel team at Thursday sitting weredismissed.It would be recalled that,the three acussedwere arraigned on Friday, November 25, 2016 on an 18 -count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, obtaining money by false pretence and abuse of office.
The prosecution Counsel, Ben Ubi thereafter sought for commencement of trial. He informed the court that there were three witnesses in court ready to testify but all the counsel to the three accused person sought for an adjournment on the ground that they were just been served additional proof of evidence and would need time to study the documents.
The court conceded to their application and adjourned the case to the 8th and 10th of March, 2017 for the commencement of trial
