Ex-Ondo Speaker Oloyelogun Faces Possible Jail for Alleged ₦2.4m Fraud

Kehinde Fajobi

Immediate past Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Bamidele Oloyelogun, may face imprisonment if found guilty of corruption charges in an ongoing trial.

Charged alongside Oloyelogun are former lawmaker Felemu-Gudu Bankole and civil servant Segun Oyadeyi. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has accused them of misappropriating ₦2.4 million allocated for a seminar that never took place.

The court, led by Justice Adegboyega Adebusoye, has yet to announce a verdict, with judgment expected before December.

The controversy began when former Deputy Speaker Ogundeji Iroju petitioned the EFCC in 2019, alleging that funds intended for the seminar in Lagos were diverted. According to Iroju, the funds were never used as attendees didn’t leave Akure, prompting him to call for an investigation.

Responding, the EFCC began its inquiry, questioning Oloyelogun, Bankole, and others involved. The EFCC’s efforts to prosecute were delayed after the Ondo Assembly passed the “Ondo State Public Complaints, Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Commission Law” in 2021, effectively creating a state-specific anti-corruption agency. The defendants argued this law invalidated the EFCC’s jurisdiction over state matters.

However, EFCC counsel Fredrick Dibang contended that the state’s anti-corruption law contradicted national legislation, allowing the EFCC to proceed.

Justice Adebusoye ultimately ruled in favour of the EFCC, permitting them to prosecute.

Oloyelogun, maintaining his innocence, claimed the ₦2.4 million had been returned to the Assembly after the seminar was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other issues.

He stated, “I am not the House accounting officer. I don’t sign the Assembly’s cheques… This allegation is a mere political persecution which will fail.”

Oloyelogun further noted that Iroju’s actions were a form of retribution following his impeachment and suspension by the Assembly.

“I did everything to make peace with Iroju,” he said. “The said fund has been returned to the Assembly’s account since the seminar was not attended due to last year’s Covid-19 lockdown.”

Backing Oloyelogun’s statement, House Majority Leader Wale Ogunmolasuyi explained, “The money was released last year, but the lockdown prevented any seminar. The money has been refunded to the government’s coffers.”

Meanwhile, Iroju stated he filed the petition to clear his name, explaining, “The EFCC has taken over… It was my name used to collect the money, and when they refused to pay it back, I decided to write to the EFCC to clear my name.”

The court is expected to issue its judgment before the end of the year.