Abiola’s son in EFCC custody over alleged N35.5m scam

A LAGOS high court sitting in Ikeja yesterday remanded in custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the second son of the late business mogul, Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo

Olawale Abiola, Deji, over an alleged N35.5 million fraud.

Abiola was taken before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo for alleged stealing and fraudulent conversion. The EFCC alleged that Deji Abiola of the late prominent politician collected N35.5 million in 2008 from one Mr. Jide Jose, on the pretext of importing printing machines from Switzerland for him.

The anti-graft agency claimed that he never supplied the said machines to the complainant and had converted the money to personal use.

When the case came up for hearing yesterday, the EFCC counsel, Mr. Omeiza Adebola, asked the court to compel Abiola to take his plea and be properly arraigned.He also told the court that the matter had been before the court since September 2, 2010, insisting that the charge should be read to the defendant.

However, Abiola’s counsel, Mr. A. B. Kasumu, objected to his arraignment, arguing that they had just been notified about the process. Kasumu said the defendant who had been enjoying administrative bail granted him by the EFCC had come to court out of his own volition. He added that Abiola should be granted sufficient time to consult with his lawyers before taking his plea as guaranteed by the right to fair hearing.

Kasumu also asked the court to grant his client bail or remand him in EFCC custody pending the filing of the bail application to be heard at the next adjournment.The matter was adjourned till June 30, 2011 for Abiola’s arraignment.-Guardian