The Ondo State High Court in Akure has acquitted Hon. Bamidele David Oleyeloogun, the former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Felemu-Gudu Bankole, and Segun Oyadeyi, a senior civil servant, of alleged fraud involving N2.4 million.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused the trio of conspiring to misuse public funds allocated for a seminar that never took place. The charges, filed three years ago, included allegations of conspiracy and illegal personal benefits.

However, Justice Adegboyega Adebusoye ruled that the EFCC failed to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. The anti-corruption agency claimed that the funds were diverted after being released by the state’s Ministry of Finance for a two-day seminar scheduled for December 2019. Despite these allegations, the defense successfully argued that the funds were never misused.

The defense lawyer, Mr. Femi Emodamori, challenged the EFCC’s case, stating that the agency had no jurisdiction and that its claims were legally defective. He emphasized that the funds remained in the State Assembly’s account and presented no evidence of corruption or personal gain.

Justice Adebusoye agreed, highlighting inconsistencies in the testimony of the EFCC’s main witness, Hon. Ogundeji Iroju. The judge also noted that the EFCC failed to call other relevant witnesses, including lawmakers and civil servants listed to attend the seminar.

The court concluded that there was no proof that the money was diverted or misused. Justice Adebusoye dismissed the charges, discharging and acquitting all three defendants.

This judgment reinforces the importance of thorough investigations and strong evidence in prosecuting corruption cases. Without these, allegations can collapse in court, as demonstrated in this case.