The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday secured the conviction of one Jalekun Omitawoju Yisau and nine other defendants in a case of alleged conspiracy, misappropriation and diversion of funds.
The other convicted defendants are Afribiz Viables Ventures, Allied Aque-Forte Ventures, Manifield Mercies Ventures, Agbeloba Agrotech Ventures Ltd, Torosbury International Agency Ltd, Cradle Engineering Services Ltd, Momm Limited, Al-Tora Allied Business, Arieco Trading Ventures
The convicts were charged before Justice N. Ayo Emmanuel of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, Oyo State, alongside a former Director of Institute of Agriculture, Research and Training (IART ), Professor Benjamin Olufemi Ogunbodede, Zaccheaus Tejumola and Adenose Clement.
When they were first arraigned on October 30, 2014, all the accused persons had pleaded not guilty to the17-count charge bordering on misappropriation and diversion of funds to the tune of N115,000,000 preffered against them by the EFCC.
But at the resumed hearing yesterday, the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo informed the court of the intention of the 4th defendant (Jalekun Omitawoju Yisau) who is also the alter ego of the 5th – 13th defendants to change their plea from “not guilty” to “guilty”. Counsel to Yisau, Akin Ladipo, confirmed the information presented by the prosecution.
Consequently, the charges that applied to the convicts were read to them and they pleaded “guilty”.
In view of their plea, Oyedepo urged the court to convict them accordingly.
But the trio of Tunde Olupona, I. A Salawu and Mrs B.Y Adegboyega, counsel to Professor Ogunbodede, Tejumola and Clement respectively, opposed the plea bargain agreement, contending that the proceeding before the court is a joint trial and that the plea bargain agreement would prejudice the other parties involved in this matter.
Justice Emmanuel overruled their objections, convicted and sentenced the 4th -13th defendants to two and half years imprisonment each on counts 1, 3,5,8,10,14 and 17.
The sentence would take effect from 30th October, 2014 when the defendants were first arraigned.
They are also to sign a bond with the EFCC, seven days after their release, to be of good conduct and never get involved in financial crimes both within and outside Nigeria.
The matter was adjourned to July 1, 2016 for the continuation of trial.
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