The application for stay of proceeding in the trial of erstwhile Oyo State Head of Service, Alhaja Kudirat Adeleke and 11 others has been dismissed by a High Court in the state.
All 12 accused are standing trial for alleged fraud to the tune of N5.6bn at the Local Government Pension Board.
According to Richard Ogunwole (SAN), counsel to Adeleke, an appeal had been entered at the Court of Appeal against the ruling of the court for refusing bail to the defendants. He argued that the appeal was not on the issue of bail alone but also bordering on the issue of court’s jurisdiction; and therefore urged the court to adjourn the case indefinitely and wait for the ruling of the Court of Appeal on the matter.
Aside lamenting that a letter to the Oyo State Chief Judge, Badejoko Adeniji on transfer of the case was rejected, he also said the court was guided by the law not to proceed on the matter pending the outcome from the Court of Appeal.
Counsel to other defendants agreed with Ogunwole’s submission. However, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Aba Muhammed argued against the prayer of the counsel, observing that since the chief judge had ordered the transfer of the case, Odunwole’s prayers should be dismissed. He therefore urged o continue with the case rather than adjourn indefinitely.
Justice Mistura Bolaji-Yusuf ruled in Muhammed’s favour, saying the sought stay of proceeding could not be granted on an oral application, considering that the defendant’s bail application was turned down.
