The
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February
14, 2017 arraigned the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of
Technology Akure, FUTA, Professor Adebiyi G. Daramola and the Bursar,
Emmanuel Oresegun before Justice S. A. Bola of the Ondo State High
Court, Akure on a 9-count charge bordering on obtaining by false
pretence, abuse of office, misappropriation of funds and conspiracy to
steal to the tune of N156,984,455.33 (One Hundred and Fifty Six Million
Nine Hundred and Eighty Four Thousand Four Hundred and Fifty Five Naira
Thirty Three Kobo).
Their
journey to the dock followed a petition received by the EFCC sometime
in 2016, alleging corruption, fraud, and mindless stealing of the funds
of the university by the duo.
It
was alleged, among others, that the VC collected housing allowances
whilst living in the government residential quarters, drew Furniture
Allowance annually instead of once in 4 years as approved by the Income
and Wages Commission. He was also alleged to have used public funds to
finance private expenses, while engaging in illegal payment of
allowances to the university’s council members. In addition, the VC
collected bogus monthly imprest, transferred and placed N100,000,000.00
of the University funds in a fixed deposit account without
authorization.
They however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
One
of the counts reads: “That you, Professor Adebiyi G. Daramola on or
about the 2nd of September, 2016 at Akure within the Akure Judicial
Division of this honourable court with intent to defraud, obtained the
sum of Twenty Four Million Two Hundred and Twenty Three Thousand Four
Hundred and Eighty Four Naira (N24,223,484.00) only from the Federal
University of Technology Akure, when you falsely represented that the
said sum of money was for your biennial family vacation overseas for the
year 2015 and 2016, which representation you knew was false.”
Another
count reads: “That you, Professor Adebiyi G. Daramola and Emmanuel A.
Ayodeji Oresegun on or about the 21st January, 2015, at Akure within the
Akure Judicial Division of this honourable court with intent to
defraud, conspired to fix the sum of One Hundred Million Naira
(N100,000,000.00) only property of Federal University of Technology,
Akure in a Wema Bank account No: 1300003035 without due process.”
In
view of their plea, counsel to EFCC, Benedict Ubi, asked for a trial
date. But counsel to the 1st and 2nd defendants, Adebayo Olanipekun and
O. Theophilus prayed the court to allow them move oral application for
bail. Ubi opposed the oral application, stating that counsel have to put
facts before the court as to the reason why the defendants must be
granted, which he would also need time to respond to.
Justice
Bola, having considered the arguments of all the counsel, granted bail
to the defendants in the sum of N10million bond, 2 sureties in like sum
who must be professors in FUTA or public officers not less than grade
level 17, and must depose to affidavit of means. They are to also
present title documents of landed properties within the jurisdiction of
the court and must present evidence of tax payment for the past 3 years.
The
case was adjourned to March 20, 21 and 22, 2017 for commencement of
trial, while the defendants are remanded in State CID, Police
headquarters, Akure pending the perfection of the bail conditions.
Wilson Uwujaren
Head Media & Publicity
14th February, 2017
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