This post has already been read 1930 times!
The former governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose, has been granted N50 million bail by the Federal High Court in Lagos. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday arraigned the ex-governor on an 11-count charge bordering on abuse of office. Morenikeji Olatoregun, the presiding judge, granted the bail on Wednesday Morning.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arraigned the immediate-past Governor for an alleged fraud of N2.2bn and an 11-count charge bordering corruption and abuse of office to the tune of N30.8 billion.
Fayose who promised to turn himself in immediately his tenure expires on the 16th of October stood to his promise, and so far have cooperated with the anti graft agency regarding their investigations.
His trial proper will commence on 19 November, Justice Mojisola Olatoregun ruled. The former governor pleaded not guilty to the charge. His lawyer Kanu Agabi SAN, had on Monday moved a motion for his bail, but the judge ordered that Fayose be remanded in EFCC custody and adjourned hearing till today.
Justice Olatoregun heard the arguments by Agabi and EFCC counsel, Rotimi Jacobs today, Agabi, a former Federal Attorney-General , urged the court to grant Fayose bail on the ground that he voluntarily submitted himself to EFCC a day after leaving office as Governor of Ekiti State. In addition, he said, Fayose has no criminal record.
Mr Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, prosecuting for EFCC, countered on the ground that the day Fayose appeared in EFCC Abuja he came with a lot of hoodlums that nearly attacked the EFCC operatives before they were repelled.
He was probably to the crowd that included Governor Nyesom Wike and former aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode.
Rotimi also told the court that investigation is still ongoing to trace some of the properties bought by Fayose with the stolen money and if granted bail, he will scuttle investigation.
Justice Mojisola Olatoregun said since the offence alleged to have been committed is a bailable offence, she was inclind to grant Fayose bail.
She thus granted Fayose bail in the sum of N50million with one surety who must own a landed property in Lagos.
The surety must possess three years tax clearance and must also secure a bond of N50million from a reputable bank which will be forfeited if Fayose jumps bail.
Fayose was also ordered to swear to an affidavit not to tamper with the witnesses and should deposit his international passport with the chief Registrar of the court.
Thereafter, she adjourned the trial till 19th of Novenber, 2018.
Part of this News was sourced from NAN Reportage
