Hearing in the case of the N8bn currency scam,
involving six Central Bank of Nigeria officials and
other bankers, continued at the Federal High
Court, Ibadan, on Wednesday as the Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission alleged that
one of the accused persons, Mr. Ayodeji Alase of
First Bank, had property worth hundreds of
millions of naira.
It was alleged that Alase, a primary six
certificate holder, had a duplex at Oluyole Estate
in Ibadan, a shopping complex in the city, a
warehouse at Podo area of the city, a fenced
plot at Dugbe, a block of four flats at Apeye, two
plots of land and five-bedroom flat in other
parts of the Oyo State capital.
He was alleged to have a credit balance of
N132m in one of his bank accounts.
The commission also alleged that Alase
possessed a block of five-bedroom flat at Apete,
Ibadan and a supermarket at New Garage,
Apata area of Ibadan.
Other accused persons, including Olaniran
Adeola, Ayodele Adeyemi, Isiaq Akano and
others were also said to own property in South
Africa, filling stations, cement shops, schools,
supermarkets, exotic cars and buildings in
several locations in Nigeria.
A woman, Mrs. Afolabi Olunike, was alleged to
be an owner of a duplex, several plots of land, a
storey building and another three acres of land.
Earlier, during the hearing, Alase had delayed
proceedings of the court when he claimed not to
understand English Language when charges
were read to him.
Lead prosecution for EFCC, Mr. Rotimi Jacob
(SAN), faulted his claim, alleging that although
Alase was employed as a guard, he rose to
become a cash assistant in First Bank Plc.
Justice A.O. Faaji later ruled that an interpreter
should be provided to ease communication
between the court and the accused.
On Wednesday, cases were heard before Justice
Faaji in batches with the first set of accused
persons arraigned on 28 counts
They are Kolawole Babalola, Olaniran Adeola,
Toogun Phillip, Ayodele Adeyemi, Isiaq Akano,
Oyebamiji Akeem, Alase, Ajiwe Adegoke and
Idowu Oguntade, who is still at large.
Three officials of the CBN were among the
accused, while others were from Wema Bank Plc
and First Bank Plc.
Prosecution counsel, Mr. Rotimi (SAN), told the
court that the accused persons were charged
with 28 counts, which included forgery of
documents, conspiracy and stealing.
According to the charge sheet, the accused
persons were charged with intent to defraud
and conspiracy to commit an offense punishable
under the Nigerian law.
They all pleaded not guilty to all the allegations.
Efforts of counsel for the accused persons to
secure bail for them through oral application,
failed as Justice Faaji ruled that they should be
remanded in prisons pending further hearing.
The case was adjourned till June 8, 2015 for
hearing of the bail applications.
source : punch
