Former Ogun LG Chairman Remanded In Prison For False Diversion Accusations Against Abiodun

Former Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, Wale Adedayo, who accused Governor Dapo Abiodun of diverting funds, has been arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Abeokuta.

Adedayo had previously accused Governor Abiodun of diverting federal allocations meant for all 20 LGs in the state, prompting an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Subsequently, he faced suspension by seven councillors in the LG and was held and questioned by the Department of State Security (DSS), Ogun Command.

The former chairman was impeached on September 14 by a majority of councillors in the LG, leading to his arrest by the Police in Ijebu-Ife. He was then held at the Police headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta.

The charges against Adedayo were brought following a petition by the state government titled “Petition against Wale Adedayo’s deliberate circulation of falsehood, false report to government, threat to life, and interference with the exercise of executive function,” signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi.

Adedayo faces two counts, including the unlawful publication of false accusations against Governor Abiodun.

The charges specify that he knew these allegations to be false and likely to cause public disturbance and damage to the governor’s reputation.

During the court proceedings, the defendant’s counsel, Kayode Akinsola, applied for bail, which was not objected to by the prosecutor, Inspector Olaide Rolly.

The Magistrate, A.K Araba, granted bail with a sum of N2 million and required two “responsible and reliable sureties” residing within the court’s jurisdiction, possessing landed property with tax clearance.

Adedayo was ordered to be remanded at Ibara Correctional Facility, Abeokuta, pending bail conditions’ fulfillment.

The trial has been adjourned to October 20, 2023.