Mr. Akala is an ex-governor of Oyo
State, South Western Nigeria.
Justice Akintunde Boade of the Oyo
State High Court has declared his
intention to stay-off the graft charge
involving the former Oyo State
Governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala, and two
others.
Also involved in the N11.5 billion fraud
case is Hosea Agboola, the incumbent
Deputy Senate Whip and former
Commissioner for Local Government and
Chieftaincy Matters under Mr. Akala;
and Femi Babalola, an Ibadan-based
businessman.
The accused persons were brought
before the court on an 11-count charge of
misappropriation, concealment of
information among others.
The judge, who, on Monday, declared
that he is due for retirement by the end
of February, said he would not be able to
continue with the hearing of the matter
as earlier scheduled.
He adjourned hearing till March 27.
An appeal
Meanwhile, the accused persons have
filed an appeal against the earlier ruling
of the court, which said they have a
case to answer.
The lead counsel to Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission, Godwin
Obla, had, on Monday, declared his
readiness to go on with the trial before
the judge announced his due retirement.
Ruling on an application seeking
dismissal of charges brought before him,
the judge, on the last adjournment date,
said the prosecution had availed the
court with enough evidence linking the
accused with the matter. He declared
that the accused have a case to answer.
The 11-count charge includes conspiracy,
illegal award of contracts, obtaining by
false presence, acquiring property with
money derived from illegal act, and
concealing the ownership of such
property.


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