Justice F.E. Owolabi of the Osun State High Court on Tuesday, 28 May, 2013, remanded Chief Rufus Woleola Ojo, a former Chairman of Orolu local government Ifon, Osun state, in prison custody. Woleola
is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,
EFCC, for stealing and diversion of public funds to the tune of N22
million.
The
ordeal of Woleola who was arraigned on a one count charge of criminal
embezzlement and diversion of public funds, followed a petition dated 3rd June 2010, by Atilade Quadri and Comrade Bashir on behalf of Orolu Integrity Forum
where it was alleged that the accused collected money for the
constituency projects including a nine classroom building without
executing the project.
EFCC’s investigation showed that on 14th
December 2006, the sum of N22, 058,021 meant for the classrooms
construction was transferred from the account of Orolu local government
to the account of Rulekal Ventures limited at Oceanic Bank, where Woleola 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, Woleola 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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