By Lukman Olabiyi
Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, the counsel to Government Ekpemupolo, has been docked by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
Adegboruwa was arraigned on one-count charge bordering on count bordering on a lease of a Lagos property which is subject of a court order of attachment before Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo.
When the case was called on Thurday, prosecuting counsel, Mr Idris Abdullahi informed the court of an amended charge dated May 12.
He said that the earlier charge dated and filed on May 5, had been replaced with the amended charge dated and filed on May 12 and prayed the court to substitute same.
He told the court that the charge had been duly served on the accused, and prayed the court for the amended charge to be read over to him, in order for his plea to be taken.
The trial judge, in a short ruling, struck out the charge dated May 5, and replaced it with the amended charge No FHC/L/CS/181C/2016.
Adegboruwa was then arraigned on the amended charge, and he pleaded not guilty.
After his arraignment, prosecuting counsel prayed the court for a trial date, and urged it to remand the accused in prison custody.
Reacting to the EFCC submission, counsel to the accused, Mr Emeka Etiaba (SAN) informed the court of a bail application filed on behalf of the accused.
He moved the application and urged the court to grant the accused bail on self recognition.
Etiaba added that the accused was reputed for his relentless service to the poor and downtrodden of the society.
Ruling on the bail application, Justice Oguntoyinbo held:” I have considered the facts before this court from learned counsel to the accused.
“I have also considered section 162 of the ACJA and i agree that bail cannot be used to punish an accused for an offence he has not been tried. I am however, reluctant to grant the bail in the manner the applicant has applied. The accused is hereby granted bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties in like sum.The sureties must put down their phone numbers with the court”
She adjourned the case to June 13, 14 and 15 for trial, and ordered the accused to be remanded at the EFCC custody until the bail terms are perfected.
The judge also warned the prosecution to pursue it’s case diligently.
In the one count charge, the accused was alleged to have conspired with one Jonathan Udeagbala (now at large) to lease out a property located at No 105 NICON Town Estate Lekki, Lagos.
The property was said to be the subject of an interim order of attachment issued by Justice C.A Balogun of a Lagos High Court, on June 18, 2012
The said property was said to have been leased to one Shelf Drilling Nig. Ltd for over N61 million without the consent of the EFCC.
The offence is said to have contravened the provisions of Section 32(1) of the EFCC Act, 2004.