N11.5 billion fraud: Alao-Akala, Senator Agboola’s trial postponed indefinitely

The corruption trial of a former Oyo State Governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala, has been adjourned indefinitely.
Justice Bayo Taiwo of the Oyo State High Court adjourned the trial indefinitely on Wednesday.
Mr. Alao-Akala (governor from 2007-2011); his then commissioner for local government and chieftaincy matters and current member of the Senate, Hosea Agboola; and an Ibadan-based businessman, Olufemi Babalola; are being prosecuted for alleged conspiracy and misappropriation of N11.5 billion from the state’s treasury.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused them of conspiracy, illegal award of contracts, obtaining money by false pretence and acquiring property with money derived from illegal act as well as concealing the ownership of such property.

Wednesday’s indefinite adjournment was sequel to the information availed the court by counsel to Messrs Alao-Akala and Babalola, Lateef Fagbemi, on a pending suit before the Court of Appeal to challenge the High Court ruling which declared that the accused persons have case to answer.

Mr. Fagbemi told the court that the appellate court was yet to decide on the appeal against the judgement delivered by Justice Akintunde Boade on December 12, 2012. He pleaded with the court to wait for the Appeal Court’s decision before proceeding on the substantive suit.

Mr. Agboola’s counsel, Richard Ogunwole, apologised to the court on the absence of his client and aligned himself with the submission of Mr. Fagbemi.

Mr. Boade, who is now retired, had on December 12, 2012 ruled that the accused persons had a case to answer in the suit instituted against them by the EFCC.