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| From right; Prof. Benjamin Ogunbodede. Jalekun Omitowoju. Zacceaus Tejumola and Adenose Clement, when they were arraigned on October 30, 2014. Photo Credit: TheNews |
The
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday secured the
conviction and sentencing of Prof. Benjamin Adefemi Ogunbodede, a former
Director-General, Institute of Agriculture Research and Training
(IART), Ibadan, Oyo State before Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of the
Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday secured the
conviction and sentencing of Prof. Benjamin Adefemi Ogunbodede, a former
Director-General, Institute of Agriculture Research and Training
(IART), Ibadan, Oyo State before Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of the
Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Ogunbodede
was prosecuted alongside the trio of Zacheaus Tejumola, Adenose Clement
and Jalekun Omotowoju on a 17-count charge bordering on conspiracy,
misappropriation and diversion of funds to the tune of N177 million.
was prosecuted alongside the trio of Zacheaus Tejumola, Adenose Clement
and Jalekun Omotowoju on a 17-count charge bordering on conspiracy,
misappropriation and diversion of funds to the tune of N177 million.
Trouble
started for the convicts following a petition dated December 17, 2012
written by the Academic staff Union of the institute, alleging that
Ogunbodede falsely claimed to have used the sum of N115million to pay
hazard allowance to the members of staff of the institute in December
2013.
started for the convicts following a petition dated December 17, 2012
written by the Academic staff Union of the institute, alleging that
Ogunbodede falsely claimed to have used the sum of N115million to pay
hazard allowance to the members of staff of the institute in December
2013.
It was also alleged that Ogunbodede claimed to have used the sum of N15 million to harvest crops.
However, investigation revealed that he actually spent N800,000 to harvest the crops.
The
convicts had all pleaded not guilty to the charge when they were
arraigned on June 16, 2014, thereby setting the stage for their trial.
convicts had all pleaded not guilty to the charge when they were
arraigned on June 16, 2014, thereby setting the stage for their trial.
In
the course of the trial, the prosecution presented 15 witnesses and
tendered relevant documents, which were all admitted in evidence.
the course of the trial, the prosecution presented 15 witnesses and
tendered relevant documents, which were all admitted in evidence.
Also,
in 2016, 10 other accused persons in the matter had pleaded guilty to
the charge and subsequently entered into a plea bargain arrangement with
the Commission.
in 2016, 10 other accused persons in the matter had pleaded guilty to
the charge and subsequently entered into a plea bargain arrangement with
the Commission.
Delivering his judgement today, Justice Ayo-Emmanuel said the prosecution had proved its case beyond any reasonable doubt.
He, therefore, convicted and sentenced the first and second accused persons to 40 years imprisonment without an option of fine.
The third accused was sentenced to four years imprisonment without an option of fine.
The sentences are to run concurrently.
News Express
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