MICHAEL AKINOLA
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has officially re-arraigned a 73-year old visually impaired man, Murtala Adebayo, before Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Ikeja Special Offences Court over allegations of N19 million fraud.
P.M.EXPRESS reports the man, Adebayo, was alleged to have used falsified Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) documents and fake tax records to secure bail in a previous Court proceeding.
He was initially arraigned before Justice Mojisola Dada on 24th January, 2024, he pleaded not guilty to a three-count charge of fraud and was granted bail at the time.
However, the EFCC later discovered discrepancies in the documents he submitted, which led to his re-arraignment before Justice Oshodi on 28th January, 2025, where he again entered a plea of not guilty.
During the proceedings, Adebayo’s counsel, Bamidele Ogundele, urged the court to allow his client to continue with the bail conditions previously granted by Justice Dada. Ogundele emphasized that Adebayo had consistently complied with the court’s requirements since his initial arraignment.
“My client has been diligent in fulfilling the bail conditions set by Justice Dada,” Ogundele stated.
“The surety who stood for him has also filed an affidavit of continuity, reaffirming her commitment to the case.”
The prosecuting counsel, Sa’adatu Yabo, did not object to the defense’s application, leaving the decision to the court’s discretion.
However, Martins Oyigbo, counsel to the nominal complainant, raised concerns about the authenticity of the CAC certificate used by Adebayo to secure bail.
“The CAC certificate presented by the defendant is fake,” Oyigbo asserted.
“This was confirmed when the nominal complainant applied to the CAC using the same company name and received approval for registration.”
Justice Oshodi, after reviewing the bail bond submitted by the defense, ruled that Adebayo could continue under the existing bail conditions which included N5 million bond, a surety, and a lien of N5 million placed on the surety’s personal account.
This development may have highlighted the EFCC’s ongoing efforts to combat financial fraud, even as questions arise about the thoroughness of its investigations but it appears that EFCC does not spare any person from prosecution.