N115m Scam: Accused Bags 17 Years Jail Term

From right, Prof Benjamin Ogunbodede,
Jameson Omitowoju, Zaccheaus Tejumola and Adenose Clement

The Economic and Finacial Crime Commission, EFCC had on June 17, 2016 secured the conviction of Mr. Jalekun Omitawoju Yisau and nine other defendants in a case of alleged conspiracy, misappropriation and diversion of funds to the tune of N115 million. 

Others convicted are Afribiz Viables Ventures, Allied Aque-Forte Ventures, Manifield Mercies Ventures, Agbeloba Agrotech Ventures Ltd, Torosbury International Agency Ltd, Cradle Engineering Services Ltd, Momm Limited, Al-Tora Allied Business, Arieco Trading Ventures. 

Their sentence followed their change of plea from “not guilty” to “guilty’. 

They were first arraigned on October 30, 2014. The judge convicted and sentenced them to two and half years imprisonment each on counts 1, 3,5,8,10,14 and17. The sentence would, however, take effect from 30th October, 2014 when the defendants were first arraigned. 

They are also to sign a bond with the EFCC, seven days after their release, to be of good conduct and never get involved in financial crimes both within and outside Nigeria. 

Three others, former Director of Institute of Agriculture, Research and Training (IART), Professor Benjamin Olufemi Ogunbodede, Zaccheaus Tejumola and Adenose Clement who were charged alongside the convicts before Justice N. Ayo Emmanuel of the Federal High Court , Ibadan, Oyo State, maintained their “not guilty” plea. 

Meanwhile, Prof Ogunbodede and his cohort would return to court on July 1, 2016 for the continuation of their trial.‪#‎Conviction‬. ‪#‎EFCC‬.