Ogun ex-LG chairman remanded in prison

The Magistrate’s Court sitting in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, has remanded the impeached Chairman of Ijebu-East Local Government Area of the state, Wale Adedayo, in a correctional centre.

This followed his arraignment by the Ogun State Police Command on Tuesday, September 26, 2023.

The Star had reported that the operatives of the Ogun State Police Command arrested Adedayo at his residence in the Ijebu-Ife area of the state on Monday, September 25.

The former chairman had dragged Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, before the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), demanding the investigation of the governor over alleged mismanagement of local government funds.

Adedayo, who was also impeached by councillors in Ijebu East LGA, accused Abiodun of withholding the statutory Federal Allocation due to the state’s local governments since 2021.

The impeached chairman was summoned by the Department of State Services (DSS) and was later released.

He was however arraigned on a two-count charge before the court on Tuesday, following a petition written by the Ogun State Government.

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The two-count charge read: “That you Hon. Wale Adedayo ‘m’ on the 27th August 2023 at Abeokuta in the Abeokuta Magisterial District did unlawfully publish circular to the public, a letter addressed to the former Governor of Ogun State and Elder Stateman, Aremo Olusegun Osoba ‘m’ in which you accused the present Governor of Ogun State: Prince Dapo Abiodun ‘m’ of hijacking Local Government funds which you knew was false allegation and likely to cause fear and alarm to the public or to disturb the public peace, knowing or having reason to believe that such statement is a rumour and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 59(1) of Criminal Code laws of Ogun State, 2006.

“That you Hon. Wale Adedayo ‘m’ on the same date and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District did unlawfully publish circular to the public, a letter addressed to the former Governor of Ogun State and Elder Stateman, Aremo Olusegun Osoba ‘m’ in which you accused the present Governor of Ogun State; Prince Dapo Abiodun ‘m’ of hijacking Local Government funds (ten percent (10%) of the State Internally Generated Revenue which the Constitution stipulate should go to the Local Government(s) since May, 2019 which you knew was a false allegation and likely to injure the reputation of the Governor by exposing him to hatred, contempt or ridicule or to damage him in discharge of his office and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 375 of Criminal Code laws of Ogun State, 2006.”

The defence counsel, Kayode Akinsola, applied for the bail of Adedayo, saying the offences allegedly committed are bailable.

The prosecutor, Inspector Olaide Rawlings, did not object to the bail application.

In his ruling, Magistrate A.K Araba admitted him to bail with the sum of N2 million and two ‘responsible and reliable sureties’ in like sum.

The Magistrate said the sureties must be residents within the jurisdiction of the court and must possess landed property with tax clearance.

Araba, however, ordered Adedayo’s remand at Ibara Correctional Centre in Abeokuta, pending perfection of the bail conditions.

He, therefore, adjourned the matter till October 20, 2023, for trial.

The Star