The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned Ope Saraki, a cousin of the former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, for alleged diversion of N221,339,827.00 Kwara State Government funds.
Saraki was on Thursday charged before Justice Adenike Akinpelu of a Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin on two counts bordering on alleged diversion of funds meant for contract for purchase of 13 ambulances and 13 generators for 13 General/Specialist Hospitals in the state.
The EFCC alleged that Saraki, while serving as Special Adviser on Millennium Development Goal to the Kwara State government, allegedly acquired indirectly a contract worth N171,990,000.00 for the purchase of 13 units of ambulance for 13 General/Specialist hospitals to Chemiroy Nigeria Limited.
The prosecution also alleged that the accused person knowingly acquired in contract worth N49,349,827.00 to MC Drive Logistics and Institutes Limited for 13 units of 100 KVA generators for 13 General/Specialist hospitals in the state.
The offences, the prosecutor alleged, were contrary to section 12 of Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act 2000 and punishable under the same law.
Saraki pleaded not guilty to the two charges.
The prosecuting counsel, Sesan Ola, urged the court to remand the accused person in any of the correctional facilities within the state.
However, the defence counsel, Dr Kayode Olatoke(SAN), prayed the court to grant the accused person bail in liberal terms adding that Saraki is a man of substance who would not jump bail if granted.
Olatoke said the accused person had been facing similar charge at the Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin and his travelling documents had been deposited with the court since 2015.
“The defendant had been charged before the Federal High Court for similar offence since 2015, he was granted bail and his travelling documents have been deposited in the court. He has not run away from the country since then and he can not run away. He is a bonafide citizen of this country and he has no place to run to”, he said.
Justice Akinpelu granted the accused person bail in the sum of N300m and two sureties in like sum.
The case was adjourned till April,16, 2020 for hearing.
EFCC arraigns ex-governor’s aide for ‘N220m fraud’
Court grants defendant bail
by Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday arraigned Ope Saraki at the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin for an alleged N220 million fraud.
Saraki was special adviser to ex-Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The defendant, who is being tried on a-two count charge of corrupt practices, pleaded not guilty.
After the defendant’s plea, EFCC’s lawyer Sesan Ola urged the court to remand him in prison.
He said: “In view of the defendant’s plea, we apply for a date for trial and urge the court to remand him in custody pending determination of the case.”
But the defendant’s lawyer, Joshua Olatoki (SAN), opposed the prosecution’s application, praying the court to grant his client bail pending trial.
He said: “As senior counsel speaking from the bar, I submit that the two count charges are the same material particular before a Federal High Court. Trial started before the Federal High Court, Ilorin, in 2015. The defendant is on bail by self-recognition. What led to this case started in 2013, and the EFCC had granted him administrative bail till Thursday. It is time for the court not to allow its integrity to be undermined by any party.
“Having been granted bail, I submit that he has not misused the opportunity. I urge my lord to grant him bail in this charge. His international passport is in the possession of EFCC, so he cannot run. He has reliable sureties within the jurisdiction of this court.
“This is a matter that is ordinarily bailable and the court has the discretion to grant bail without any formal application. I also urge my lord to grant him bail on liberal terms. Alternatively, if he is to be remanded, I suggest he be remanded in EFCC’s custody.”
Justice Adenike Akinpelu admitted the defendant to bail on N300 million and two sureties pending the formal application for his bail.
She said Saraki’s international passport should remain with EFCC.
The judge adjourned the case till April 16 to hear the bail application and trial.

By Tunde Oyekola