An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan, today postponed the
re-arraignment of a former Oyo State Head of Service, Mrs. Kudirat Iyabo
Adeleke and 11 others implicated in a N5.6Billion pension scam.
Justice Adegboye Gbolagunte postponed the re-arraignment till May 2,
2014 following the sudden collapse of one of the defendants, Mr.
Oguntayo Banjo, who allegedly had an
asthmatic attack when the court was
about taking their pleas. They were to be re-arraigned on charges
bordering on conspiracy, stealing and criminal breach of trust.
The twelve defendants were originally arraigned on November 7, 2013
before Justice Bolaji Yusuf, who was later elevated to the Court of
Appeal. Her elevation meant that the trial of the accused persons had to
commence de novo.
Earlier, counsel to the 5th defendant, I. M Obiachuru, presented an
application before the court, objecting to the re-arraignment of his
client and prayed the court to quash the charges preferred against him.
However, EFCC counsel, Gbolahan Latona, said the notice of preliminary
objection moved by Obiachuru was incompetent and lacked merit. He
reminded the court that such an application could only come after
arraignment. Justice Gbolagunte upheld his submissions and dismissed the
application.
The other accused persons who are to be re- arraigned alongside
Adeleke are Muili Hakeem Aderemi, former executive secretary, Oyo State
Pension Board; Adeduntan Johnson; Oguntayo Banjo, former internal
auditor, Oyo State Pension Board; and Kareem Rasheed.
Others are: Muili Adedamola; Adesina Jimoh Ayoade, former cashier,
Oyo State Pension Board; Adebiyi Olasumbo Musendia, former
administration officer, Oyo State Pension Board; Iyabo Giwa, former
cashier, Oyo State Pension Board; Adewale Kehinde, Johnson Bosede and
Olujinmi Adebayo.
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