Court acquits ex- VC over alleged fraud

The High Court in Abeokuta on Wednesday, has ruled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has not established genuine case against the former vice chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNNAB) Olusola Oyewole, and two others over an alleged fraud of N842 million.
The court therefore discharged and acquitted the accused persons.
The former VC as well as a senator, Adeseye Ogunlewe (former pro chancellor) and Olusola Ilesanmi (bursar), were arraigned by the EFCC on November 25, 2016, following a petition accusing them of financial impropriations.
The trio, in a case which lasted over one and half years at High Court 6, faced an 18-count charge which included fraud, abuse of office, stealing and obtaining money under false pretence, among others.
The court however ruled that there were lack of evidence to convince the court that the accused committed the crimes, stressing that the petitioners also gave evidence from third party, with no iota of truth.
In her final ruling, the judge, Olatokunbo Majekodunmi, noted that evidences by all the 11 witnesses showed lack of evidence and therefore set all the accused free, saying, “The prosecutor has not established any prima facie case against all the accused, and I hereby discharge and acquit them.”
The counsel for the accused, Benjamin Ogunmodede, in his reaction to the judgement, thanked the court for allowing justice to prevail. While the counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ben Obi, expressed appreciation to the court.
Meanwhile, after the ruling, the former vice chancellor, Olusola Oyewole, in company of his wife and other family members, drove to their church located in Gbonagun area of Abeokuta, for a thanksgiving service.

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