EFCC Arraigns Rights Activist, Adegboruwa over Forfeited Property

• Lawyer granted bail
Chiemelie Ezeobi
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday arraigned a human rights activist and social critic, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, before a Federal High Court in Lagos over alleged lease of a forfeited property.
The accused was charged on one count bordering on a lease of a Lagos property which is subject of a court order of attachment.

When the case was called, prosecuting counsel, Mr. Idris Abdullahi, informed the court of an amended charge dated May 12.
He said the earlier charge dated and filed on May 5, had been replaced with the amended charge dated and filed on May 12 and prayed the court to substitute same.

He told the court that the charge had been duly served on the accused, and prayed the court for the amended charge to be read over to the accused for his plea to be taken.

The presiding judge, Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo, in a short ruling, struck out the charge dated May 5, and replaced it with the amended charge No FHC/L/CS/181C/2016. Adegboruwa was then arraigned on the amended charge, and he pleaded not guilty.
After his arraignment, the prosecuting counsel prayed the court for a trial date and urged it to remand the accused in prison custody.

But counsel to the accused, Mr. Emeka Etiaba (SAN), informed the court of a bail application filed on behalf of the accused.
He moved the application and urged the court to grant the accused bail on self recognisance.
Ruling on the bail application, Justice Oguntoyinbo held: “The accused is hereby granted bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties in like sum.

“The sureties must put down their phone numbers with the court.”
She adjourned the case to June 13, 14 and 15 for trial, and ordered the accused to be remanded at the EFCC custody until the bail terms are perfected.
The judge also warned the prosecution to pursue its case diligently.