A legal Practitioner, Mr Olukayode Enitan is currently standing trial at the Akure Chief Magistrate Court for forgery and irregular dealing with the Owena Oil and Gas Ltd, owned by Ondo state government.
Enitan was investigated by the police alongside four others who are still at large. Some of those indicted include Samuel Kolajo and Kole Oluwajana. They are being accused of allotting shares of Ondo state Government to some individuals.
Enitan was the only one present in court at the commencement of the trial on Monday, as the rest people were conspicuously absent.
He was arraigned on an Eight count charge to include false declaration, falsification, forgery and altering of official statements of Owena Oil and Gas Limited at the Corporate Affairs Commission.
In the charges read against him, the accused was alleged to have deprived Owena Oil and Gas Company of proceeds, profits or dividends that was accrued it , an offence punishable under section 516 of the criminal code cap 37, Vol 1, Laws of Ondo state of Nigeria, 2006.
The accused objected to the charges levelled against him through his counsel, Mr Kemi Phinero (SAN), urging the court to grant him bail on self recognition, pleading that he had provided a responsible surety to guarantee his presence in court at further hearing.
The prosecuting Police Counsel, Barrister Ajiboye however objected to the bail application, arguing that the accused may not show up for his trial because of the gravity of his alleged offence.
He said the accused person had previously been granted police bail at the Force Headquarters Abuja, which he jumped, adding that given the fact that he was arrested through a bench warrant after several attempts to get him to turn himself in, there is the likelihood that he will not show up for trial, especially when other accused persons are still at large.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Johnson Adelegan adjourned the case till today for ruling on the bail application.
At today’s session, Enitan was granted bail with the sum of N20m and two sureties who must be legal practitioners and must demonstrate records of impeccable character.
They are to produce certificate of ownership of landed property and must reside within Ondo State” the Judge ruled.
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