The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Office, has arraigned Abayomi Samuel Onajala and Adewunmi Yetunde Iyabo before Justice L. P. Lifu of the Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo, on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy and money laundering.
One of the counts reads: “That you, Abayomi Samuel Onajala and Adewunmi Yetunde Iyabo (Ayo George and Tunde Benjamin both at large) on or about March 25, 2018 at Ile-Ife within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired to directly take possession of money, from United States of America, which to your knowledge were proceeds of unlawful act to wit: Money Laundering and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act No. 11 of 2011 (as amended by the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(2) (d) and (3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012.” They pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.
Prosecuting counsel, Sanusi Galadanchi, informed the court that his witnesses were in court and that he was ready to proceed with the trial.
However, counsel for the first defendant, A. A. Bayo, told the court that he was not ready for trial because “the extra-judicial statement in the proof of evidence is not clear and therefore needs a clearer copy”. He thereafter moved his application praying the court to grant the first defendant bail. Counsel for the second defendant, Joseph Adeoye also aligned himself with Bayo.
Justice Lifu, granted the Onajala bail in the sum of N5 million and two sureties in like sum. One of the sureties must be a civil servant not below grade level 14 and the other surety must be a land owner within Oshogbo, Osun State.
The case has been adjourned to February 15, 2019 for trial and the Iyabo and Onajala have been ordered to be remanded in Ilesa Prison pending the perfection of their bail conditions.