By Henrietta Alo
Police Command in Ogun on Tuesday, arraigned the impeached Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government Area of the state, Wale Adedayo, in a Magistrate Court sitting in Abeokuta.
Adedayo had accused the State Governor, Mr Dapo Abiodun of alleged diversion of statutory Federal allocations of local government areas in the state.
The operatives of the police command had on Monday arrested Adedayo at Ijebu-Ife and held him in custody at the police headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta.
Adedayo was arraigned on a two-count charge before a Magistrate Court sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta, following a petition written by the state government.
The two-count charge read: “That you Hon. Wale Adedayo ‘m’ on August 27 at Abeokuta in the Abeokuta Magisterial District did unlawfully publish circular to the public.
“A letter addressed to the former Governor of Ogun State and Elder Stateman, Olusegun Osoba ‘m’ in which you accused the present governor of Ogun state: Dapo Abiodun ‘m’ of hijacking local government funds which you knew was false allegation.
“And likely to cause fear and alarm to the public or to disturb the public peace, knowing or having reason to believe that such statement is a rumour and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 59(1) of Criminal Code laws of Ogun State, 2006.
“That you, Hon. Wale Adedayo accused the present governor of Ogun state; Prince Dapo Abiodun ‘m’ of hijacking local government funds (ten percent (10%) of the State Internally Generated Revenue which the Constitution stipulates should go to the Local Government(s) since May, 2019.
“Which you knew was a false allegation and likely to injure the reputation of the governor by exposing him to hatred, contempt or ridicule or to damage him in discharge of his office.
“And thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 375 of Criminal Code laws of Ogun State, 2006.”
The defendant pleaded not guilty of the two charges.
The Prosecuting Counsel, Inspector Olaide Rawlings, said five witnesses would be called in the course of the trial.
While Counsel to the defendant, Mr. Kayode Akinsola applied for the bail of Adedayo, in line with the provision of Section 265, that the defendant is innocent of the charges until proven otherwise.
He argued that the defendant had no criminal record and that he (Adedayo) would not likely jump bail, if granted.
“The defendant has no criminal record whatsoever. He has been honouring all invitations from Police and DSS. I urged the Court to grant him bail. Akinsola said.
“We want to believe that the prosecution team have concluded their investigation and that is the reason why we are in court. Hence, the defendant cannot interfere with whatever they might want to do.
“I urge the court to admit the defendant to bail, who will be willing to stand trial”.
The Magistrate, A.K Araba in her ruling, admitted Adedayo to bail in the sum of N2million and two “responsible and reliable sureties” in like sum.
The sureties, according to the Magistrate must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court, and must posses landed property with evidence of Certificate of Occupancy and tax clearance.
She, therefore, remanded him at Ibara Correctional Centre, Abeokuta, pending the perfection of the bail conditions.
The case was adjourned till October 20 for trial.
