Ondo: Assembly Halts Screening Of Commissioner-Nominees As EFCC Arraigns Speaker

By Ayodele Oni

The ongoing screening of Commissioner-nominees whose names were sent to Ondo State House of Assembly a few days ago was stalled at the Assembly on Tuesday.

The screening exercise, which started on Monday could not hold due to the absence of the Speaker, Mr Bamidele Oleyelogun.

Information made available  explained that the Speaker was indisposed which necessitated his absence.

However, Mr Oleyelogun was later sighted at the premises of the Correctional centre along Ondo road where he was to be arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) for fraud.

The arraignment of the Speaker was stalled on Tuesday at the Ondo State High Court sitting at the Olokuta Correctional centre, Akure due to the absence of the Counsels to the anti-graft agency.

The EFCC had, in March, detained the Speaker for questioning over an allegation of fraud that allegedly rocked the Assembly.

Also detained by the EFCC were the Clerk of the House of Assembly, Mr. Bode Adeyelu and three other staff members for alleged N2.4 million seminar fraud.

The Lawmaker representing Akoko South West 1, in the House, Felemu Bankole, was among those that were locked up by the agency as well as two civil servants attached to the Assembly; Olusegun Kayode and Afolabi O. J.

They were said to have been kept at the detention facility of the EFCC in Lagos, while investigation continues on the alleged fraud.

On Tuesday, the Speaker arrived the premises of the correctional centre Olokuta at around 8.30am in a tinted black Prado Jeep with a pilot vehicle and another gold Kia Jeep with number plate 95 ODHA belonging to one of the House of Assembly members.

Speaking with newsmen on phone, counsel to EFCC Dibang Frederick said next date of adjournment had been picked for the arraignment of Oleyelogun for the legal team to be fully prepared.

Dibang said the charges against the Speaker would be made available during the next adjournment date.

Journalists who were at the Correctional Centre to cover the Court proceeding were, however, barred from entering the premises by officials of the Correctional Service.

The Correctional officer who addressed the Journalists said they were acting on the instruction of the State Government not to allow any Journalists to cover the arraignment.