IBADAN – Oyo State Chief Judge, Justice Badejoko Adeniji has transferred the case of N5.6 billion pension scam involving ex-Oyo state head of service, Alhaja Kudirat Adeleke and 11 others to Justice Adegboye Gbolagunte.
The case was transferred from Justice Mistura Bolaji-Yusuf, who was transferred to the Court of Appeal.
The defendants were on Friday arraigned before Justice Gbolagunte of an Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan for allegedly defrauding the Oyo state Local Government staff pension board to the tune of N5.6 billion.
Others linked with the fraud are Muili Aderemi, Iyabo Giwa, Adesina Ayoade, Oguntayo Banji, Adebiyi Musenbiq, Muili Adedamola, Adeduntan Johnson, Bosede Johnson, Kareem Rasheed, Olujimi Adebayo and Adewale Kehinde.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s counsel, Mr Gbolahan Latona told the court that the defendants were arraigned on a 213-count charge which included conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, fraud and forgery.
Latona said that the defendants conspired to obtain a total sum of N5.6 billion from three banks – FCMB, Stanbic and Zenith by false representation using the names of pensioners.
The prosecutor said that the incident happened between September 2010 and March 2011.
He said that the offences contravened sections 516, 390 (9) and 417 of the Criminal Code Cap 38 Vol. II Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Gbolagunte ordered that the defendants be remanded at the prison custody and adjourned the case to May 30 for hearing of bail application. (NAN)
