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Ladoja, others get Bail

Saturday, 06 September 2008

Reprieve finally came the way of former Oyo State Governor, Chief Rasheed Ladoja and two others standing trial for stealing and unlawful diversion of public funds as they were granted bail today, Friday, by the Federal High Court in Lagos.

Delivering ruling on the bail application by the accused persons, the trial judge, Justice Isaiah Mohammed Sanni, said that there was no material available to the court to show that the accused persons were likely to jump bail; moreso as they have been responding to EFCC summons since October 2007.

He agreed with the submission of the prosecution that the medical record presented in support of the bail application for second accused, Chief Adewale Atanda who allegedly suffers from diabetes mellitus was not sufficient ground for bail as it was not certified by an expert. Justice Sanni however observed that bail was discretionary and decided to exercise his discretion in favour of the accused persons.

He therefore granted them bail in the sum of N100million and two sureties in like sum who must have landed property in either Ikoyi or Victoria Island. In addition, the accused persons are to deposit their international passports with the court.

Further hearing in the case has been fixed for October 10, 2008

Ladoja together with Atanda and Waheed Akanbi, two former officials of the Oyo State Government were first arraigned on August 29, 2008 on a 30 count charge of conspiracy, stealing and diversion of funds belonging to the Oyo State Government. They pleaded not guilty and were remanded in EFCC custody while hearing of their bail application was fixed for September 3, 2008. But after listening to arguments for their bail application on September, 3, Justice Sanni fixed ruling for September 5, 2008.

Ex- Governor Ladoja is alleged to have stolen over N6.5billion from Oyo State Government coffers through the help of the first and second accused in what is arguably the nation’s biggest equity scam.

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