Justice Joyce Abdulmaleek of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, Oyo State on Thursday remanded a former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Jumoke Akinjide, and another chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Olanrewaju Otiti, in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged N650 million fraud.
Former Petroleum Resources Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, Senator Ayoade Adeseun, as well as Akinjide and Otiti were arraigned on a 12-count amended charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful conversion and stealing of N650 million in the build up to the 2015 general elections, a part of an alleged $115 million diverted from the country’s treasury.
Abdulmaleek adjourned the case till July 6 to hear their bail application.
At the resumed hearing of the matter, Rotimi Oyedepo, the prosecution counsel, informed the court that the commission had amended the charges against the accused persons and prayed that the amended charges be read.
But the defence counsel objected to the amendments and reading of any charge to their clients.
Bolaji Ayorinde, Michael Lana and Adeniyi Isola, all defence counsel, argued that no charge had ever been read to their clients before, adding that there was therefore no cause for any amendment.
The defence counsel also submitted that it was an irregularity on the part of the prosecution to be amending charges that were not known to be existing.
The judge, however, overruled them directing that the charge sheet be read to them.
The two accused persons present in court – Akinjide and Otiti – pleaded not guilty to the 12-count charge.
There was a stir, however, as Ayorinde and Lana in separate submissions told the court that they were withdrawing further appearance in the case, claiming the court had not been fair to their clients.
The two defence counsel subsequently walked out of the court.
Akinjide, however, had begun moves to explore plea bargain arrangement with EFCC.
Oyedepo, who confirmed the move during the court’s proceeding, said that the process was still ongoing.
