N22m fraud: Court remands ex-LG boss

Justice F.E. Owolabi of the Osun State High Court, on Tuesday remanded Chief Rufus Woleola Ojo, a former Chairman of Orolu Local Government Area of Ifon, Osun State, in prison custody.

Ojo is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for stealing and diverting public funds to the tune of N22 million.

The ordeal of Ojo, who was arraigned on a one-count charge of criminal embezzlement and diversion of public funds, followed a petition dated June 3, 2010 by Atilade Quadri and Comrade Bashir on behalf of Orolu Integrity Forum, where it was alleged that the accused collected money for constituency projects, including a nine classroom building without executing it.

EFCC’s investigation showed that on December 14, 2006, N22,058,021 million, meant for the classrooms construction, was transferred from the account of Orolu Local Government Area to the account of Rulekal Ventures Limited at Oceanic Bank, where Ojo is a sole signatory.

The accused, who confessed to have completed only one out of the 10 classrooms that were scheduled for construction, told operatives of the Commission that he diverted the money to set up a personal poultry, Rulekal Farms Limited.

When the one-count charge was read to him, Ojo pleaded not guilty, necessitating the prosecution counsel, Aso Larry Peters, to pray the court to remand the accused person in prison custody pending a formal bail application.

Justice Owolabi, while adjourning the case till July 9, 2013 for trial, urged the defence to file a formal bail application.

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