By: Ade Adeleke
….allegation is mere political persecution over Iroju’s impeachment, 2023 politics
The Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Bamidele Oleyelogun has declared that he has enough evidence to exonerate himself of any involvement in the alleged N2.4 million seminar fraud that is being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
It was reported last Tuesday that the convoy of the Speaker arriving the premises of the Olokuta Correctional centre in a scheduled arraignment over Fraud allegations which did not eventually hold as scheduled at the State High Court due to absence of the Speaker who was indisposed and non appearance of the EFCC lawyer.
The Majority Leader of the Assembly, Hon Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi in an Interview on tuesday had also said the Speaker was not inside the convoy sighted by Journalists at the court, noting that Oleyelogun was not directly involved in the case, so he could not be true that he was arraigned.
Speaking with SUNSHINETRUTH in Akure on thursday with other newsmen, the Speaker insisted that he was never arraigned in Court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on tuesday contrary to report in the media.
He also said that he has enough evidence to defend himself in the fraud allegation, noting that he would do everything to clear his name of any blemish.
Oleyelogun described the allegation against him as a mere political victimisation as he was not the Assembly’s Accounting officer or Auditor to determine how money was being spent.
He said the allegation of mismanaged seminar fund was a mere personal political battle against him from his former Deputy, Hon Ogundeji Iroju who was still nursing the wound of his impeachment and suspension by the assembly.
The Speaker also alleged that some political gladiators from Ifedore/Idanre federal constituency were working for his downfall due to his popularity to clinch the House of Representatives seat during the 2023 general election.
Oleyelogun said “I am not the House accounting officer, i don’t sign the Assembly’s cheque, I am not in charge of disbursement of fund, Am not the Auditor or external Auditor, this allegation is a mere political persecution which will fail.
“I did everything to make peace with Iroju, he even accused of begging him at his residence, all i want is peace at the Assembly.
“The said fund has been returned to the Assembly’s account since the said Seminar was not attended by those who supposed to participate as a result of last year’s Covid-19 lockdown and later political issues at the assembly.
“Iroju that supposed to lead members to the seminar was impeached and suspended; so there is no way they could go for the seminar. So there is no fraud at the Assembly, the money has been returned to the House account in line with due process. It’s against the due process and law to return such money to the state government’s coffer as being insinuated,” Oleyelogun said.
Ogunmolasuyi had on tuesday said “Mr Speaker was not even in court and he was not directly involved in any financial transactions and you would later understand that there would not be any case against him after all.
“When the whole issue is resolved, you will realize that all that the media is saying was just plans by some individuals to tarnish his image. When I saw that, I was just laughing.
“The money in question was released in June last year but the Covid-19 lockdown stopped them from any seminar. The procedure to get any fund has always been difficult and that was why they resolved that the money should be used for another programme.
“There was even pressure from the former deputy speaker asking the speaker to share the money but he refused and after he was impeached, he thought of getting back on the speaker.
“Unfortunately the money in question had been refunded into the government coffers, the receipt is very available for you to see,” Ogunmolasuyi said.
It will be recalled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had in March detained the Clerk of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Mr. Bode Adeyelu and three others staff for alleged N2.4 million seminar fraud.
Detained with the Clerk of the Assembly was the lawmaker representing Akoko South West I in the House, Felemu Bankole.
Also, two civil servants attached to the Assembly; Olusegun Kayode and Afolabi O. J. were detained over the alleged fraud.
