The magistrate, A.K Araba, in her ruling, admitted Adedayo to bail in the sum of N2 million and two “responsible and reliable sureties” in like sum.
By Jeffrey Agbo
A Magistrate Court sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta on Tuesday granted N2 million bail to the impeached chairman of Ijebu-East Local Government, Wale Adedayo.
The police arraigned him on allegations of diverting statutory federal allocations of local government areas in the state.
Adedayo was arraigned on a two-count charge following a petition written by the state government.
The charges said Adedayo, on August 27, in the Abeokuta Magisterial District unlawfully publish a circular to the public.
It further said Adedayo through a letter addressed to a former governor of Ogun, Olusegun Osoba, knowingly and falsely accused Governor Dapo Abiodun of hijacking local government funds.
The charge also stated that this was likely to cause fear and alarm among the public or disturb the public peace.
It contended that Adedayo knows or has reason to believe that such statement is a rumour.
Adedayo was thereby charged to have committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 59(1) of Criminal Code laws of Ogun State, 2006.
The defendant pleaded not guilty.
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The prosecuting counsel, Insp. Olaide Rawlings, said five witnesses would be called in the course of the trial.
Counsel to the defendant, Kayode Akinsola, applied for the bail of Adedayo in line with the provision of Section 265, that the defendant is innocent of the charges until proven otherwise.
He argued that the defendant had no criminal record and that he (Adedayo) would not likely jump bail, if granted.
Akinsola said the defendant has no criminal record whatsoever and has been honouring all invitations from the police and the Department of State Services (DSS).
“We want to believe that the prosecution team has concluded its investigation and that is the reason why we are in court. Hence, the defendant can not interfere with whatever they may want to do.
“I urge the court to admit the defendant to bail, who will be willing to stand trial,” he said.
The magistrate, A.K Araba, in her ruling, admitted Adedayo to bail in the sum of N2 million and two “responsible and reliable sureties” in like sum.
The sureties, according to the magistrate must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court, and must posses landed property with evidence of Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) and tax clearance.
She, therefore, remanded him at the Ibara Correctional Centre in Abeokuta, pending the perfection of the bail conditions.
The case was adjourned till October 20 for trial.