BEVERLY HILLS, March 04, (THEWILL) – The spokesman for former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, Mr. Lere Olayinka, has been arraigned for alleged financial impropriety and abuse of office.
Olayinka was brought before Chief Magistrate Adesoji Adegboye on a three-count charge of abuse of office, stealing and fraud.
Prosecuting Inspector Johnson Okunade alleged that the defendant committed the offence between 2014 and 2018 while overseeing the Ekiti State Broadcasting Service at Ilokun, Ado-Ekiti.
He alleged that the defendant, as a public officer, grossly abuse his office when he failed to remit N13. 5million revenue accrued to the broadcasting service into the government’s coffer.
ALSO READ: Ekiti Assembly Summons Fayose Over Funds Misappropriation
He also alleged that the defendant, being the DG of the broadcasting station, obtained N7million under false pretence as travelling allowance from the agency’s account.
Okunade added that the defendant deliberately stole N13.5million belonging to the Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State and converted it to his own use.
The prosecutor said the offences contravened sections 104, 390(5) and 419 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.
The defendant pleaded not guilty while his counsel, former Attorney-General of Ekiti State, Mr. Kolapo Kolade, urged the court to grant his client bail, promising that he would not jump bail.
Chief Magistrate Adegboye granted the defendant N1million bail with two sureties in the like sum and having verifiable addresses.
Adegboye ruled that one of the sureties must be a community leader, while the second must produce a proof of landed ownership.
He adjourned the case till April 27.
