TheCable

The police has arraigned Lere Olayinka, spokesman of Ayodele Fayose, former governor of Ekiti, over an alleged N13.5 million fraud.

Olayinka was arraigned at an Ado-Ekiti chief magistrate’s court on Wednesday.

According to Johnson Okunade, the prosecutor, the defendant committed the offence at the Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State, (BSES) Ilokun in Ado-Ekiti, between 2014 and 2018.

He alleged that the defendant, as a public officer, abused his office when he failed to remit revenue accrued to the broadcasting station to the tune of N13.5 million to the Ekiti state government.

He also alleged that the defendant, being the director-general of the broadcasting station, abused his office when he authorised travelling allowance of N7 million in his name for journeys not embarked upon.

Okunade added that the defendant also allegedly stole and converted N13.5 million belonging to the station to his own personal use.

The prosecutor noted that the offence contravened the provisions of sections 104, 390(5) and 419 of the criminal code, laws of Ekiti state, 2012.

He asked the court for an adjournment to enable him to study the case file and present his witnesses.

However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Kolapo Kolade, counsel to the defendant, prayed the court to grant his client bail in the most liberal terms.

Adesoji Adegboye, the chief magistrate, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum and having a verifiable address in the sum of N500,000.

Adegboye ruled that one of the sureties must be a community leader, while the second must produce proof of landed ownership.

He adjourned the case until April 27 for hearing.