From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
Four persons arrested for alleged vote buying during the July 16 governorship election in Osun State were on Monday arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC, Ilorin Zonal Command, arraigned Adeyemo Abiodun, Abidogun Ismail, Jimoh Kazeem and Yekini Abiodun, for offences, contrary to Electoral Act, 2022.
They were arraigned before Justice Mathias Agboola of the state high court, sitting in Osogbo.
The defendants were alleged to have conspired to trade a vote for cash and thereby committed offences contrary to the law.
They pleaded not guilty to the allegations pressed against them by the EFCC.
The prosecution, Sesan Ola, urged the court to remand the defendants and adjourn the case for hearing.
The defence counsels, NT Adekilekun and MO Sambo informed the court that the defendants had earlier been granted bail by a Kwara state high court, Ilorin and had not breached the terms.
The counsels promised that the defendants would always be available in court to stand their trial and urge the court to grant them bail.
The presiding Judge, Justice Mathias Agboola, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N2 million with one surety each in like sum.
He said the surety must not be below grade level 13 in the state civil services.
The case was adjourned to November 21 and 28, 2022 for hearing.