EFCC re-arraigns Lagos Speaker, PA for alleged money laundering

by Rachel Ogbu

Adeyemi Ikuforiji

The Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji and his personal assistant, Oyebode Atoyebi, have appeared before a Lagos Federal High Court again for suspected money laundering.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) Ikuforiji and Atoyebi had re-arraigned before Justice Ibrahim Buba on an amended 54-count charge. The accused however, pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Justice Buba said: “The case is beginning afresh before this honourable court, and so, I have the absolute discretion on the issue of bail. The accused is admitted to bail in the sum of 1 billion each with two sureties in the sum of N500 million each. The accused will be remanded in prison custody after 48 hours if they fail to perfect their bail conditions.”

Buba was responding to counsel to the accused, Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, who had urged the court to allow the accused continue with the earlier bail granted by the former trial Judge, Justice Okechukwu Okeke saying the accused was granted bail on self- recognition and that the court should uphold same.

But Buba said he was not bound by the decision of his retired learned brother.

[READ: Fashola, you’re next: PDP wants EFCC to probe the governor over N23 billion Security Trust Fund ]

Vanguard reports:

After their re-arraignment, the prosecutor, Mr, Godwin Obla, informed the court of his readiness to proceed with trial.

Counsel to Atoyebi, Mr. Tunde Akinrimisi also aligned himself with the submissions of Oyetibo, noting that his client was also admitted to bail by the former judge, with the clerk of Lagos State House of Assembly standing surety.

He also urged the court to rule in line with the earlier bail.

The application was not opposed by the prosecutor, who urged the court to exercise its discretion judiciously.

 

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