Alao-Akala, two others arraigned again for corruption.
Former Oyo State Governor Akala Former Oyo State Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala and two others were yesterday arraigned again before Oyo State High Court II for an 11-count charge of corrupt practices during his tenure.
The others are former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Ayoola Agboola and a contractor, Mr. Femi Babalola.
They had earlier been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Mashood Abass of High Court 12 in October.
The accused were granted bail on October 13 after spending few days in the custody of the State Security Service (SSS).
It was learnt that some concerned persons wrote petitions complaining about the manner in which their hearing was handled and this led to the reassignment of the case to Justice Akintunde Boade.
At the hearing yesterday, lead counsel to both parties Godwin Obla (prosecution) and Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (defence) - said they did not apply for the transfer of the case and expressed confidence in the ability of the judge to do justice in the trial.
Obla (SAN) said: “We are ready to appear in any court on this trial and we believe that the determination of the case will be based on the material evidence that will be presented.”
Fagbemi, who decried the transfer of the case without application from the parties, said: “The starting point is to tell the world that we have absolute confidence in you. We are happy to be with you.”
The accused, who were in the dock for over one hour, pleaded “Not Guilty” to the charges.
The charges against the former governor include the award of N8.5 billion road contract without budgetary allocation and the acquisition of property in Nigeria and England with alleged stolen money.
After taking their pleas, Fagbemi (SAN) pleaded with the judge to allow the bail and terms of bail earlier granted to the accused to stay, even though they were being re-arriagned.
He said in a criminal case, the position of the law is that the availability of the accused is the mother of all other factors.
Fagbemi said the accused came to court without hesitation and that they would continue to do so.
He added that since the accused pleaded “not guilty,” the law assumes they are innocent until the court proves otherwise.
Obla did not oppose Fagbemi’s plea. He said the decision to grant the plea lies with the judge.
Justice Boade upheld the bail earlier granted the accused and adjourned till February 20, 21 and 22.
Former Oyo State Governor Akala Former Oyo State Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala and two others were yesterday arraigned again before Oyo State High Court II for an 11-count charge of corrupt practices during his tenure.
The others are former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Ayoola Agboola and a contractor, Mr. Femi Babalola.
They had earlier been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Mashood Abass of High Court 12 in October.
The accused were granted bail on October 13 after spending few days in the custody of the State Security Service (SSS).
It was learnt that some concerned persons wrote petitions complaining about the manner in which their hearing was handled and this led to the reassignment of the case to Justice Akintunde Boade.
At the hearing yesterday, lead counsel to both parties Godwin Obla (prosecution) and Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (defence) - said they did not apply for the transfer of the case and expressed confidence in the ability of the judge to do justice in the trial.
Obla (SAN) said: “We are ready to appear in any court on this trial and we believe that the determination of the case will be based on the material evidence that will be presented.”
Fagbemi, who decried the transfer of the case without application from the parties, said: “The starting point is to tell the world that we have absolute confidence in you. We are happy to be with you.”
The accused, who were in the dock for over one hour, pleaded “Not Guilty” to the charges.
The charges against the former governor include the award of N8.5 billion road contract without budgetary allocation and the acquisition of property in Nigeria and England with alleged stolen money.
After taking their pleas, Fagbemi (SAN) pleaded with the judge to allow the bail and terms of bail earlier granted to the accused to stay, even though they were being re-arriagned.
He said in a criminal case, the position of the law is that the availability of the accused is the mother of all other factors.
Fagbemi said the accused came to court without hesitation and that they would continue to do so.
He added that since the accused pleaded “not guilty,” the law assumes they are innocent until the court proves otherwise.
Obla did not oppose Fagbemi’s plea. He said the decision to grant the plea lies with the judge.
Justice Boade upheld the bail earlier granted the accused and adjourned till February 20, 21 and 22.
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