The trial of the former governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala and two others over an alleged Eleven Billion, Five Hundred Million Naira (N11.5b) could not proceed Thursday 14th October 2021 as the defendants again failed to produce witnesses in court.
The defendants have been facing trial bordering on conspiracy, awarding contracts without budgetary provision and obtaining money by false pretence.
It will be recalled that the defendants on 14th October 2021 also failed to produce any witness in court prompting the trial judge to adjourn the suit.
At the resumed hearing of the suit on Thursday, Mr Akeem Afolabi (SAN), counsel to Otunba Alao – Akala and Femi Babalola pleaded with the court for an adjournment as a result of the witnesses failing to show up in court.
He informed the court that they have earlier served a subpoena for the two witnesses identified as Mr Muhammed Goji, an official of the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and a senior police officer, Usman Dahiru with the hope that they will meet in court today.
He urged the court for an adjournment for them to reach out to the witnesses and bring them to court.
Richard Ogunwole (SAN), counsel to Hosea Agboola also said that he align with the submission of the counsel to Otunba Alao-Akala even as he urged the court for an adjournment.
It will be recalled that Otunba Alao-Akala, alongside Hosea Agboola, the former Oyo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matter and Femi Babalola, a businessman were alleged by the EFCC to have conspired to syphoned the sum of Eleven Billion, Five Hundred Million Naira (N11.5b) while in office. They pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The EFCC had closed its case against the defendants while Otunba Alao-Akala and the other defendants filed a no-case submission, insisting that prima facie evidence has not been established against them. Justice Olalekan Owolabi on 1st July 2021 held that they indeed have a case to answer and subsequently ordered them to open their defence.
Justice Owolabi, however, adjourned the case for further hearing till the 19th of November 2021.
