» N8bn Scam: Primary 6 Certificate Holder Cash Assistant Has N134m In One Account- EFCC «

Hearing in the case of the N8bn currency
scam, involving six Central Bank of Nigeria
officials and other bankers, continued at the
Federal High Court, Ibadan, on Wednesday
as the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission alleged that one of the accused
persons, Mr. Ayodeji Alase of First Bank,
had property worth hundreds of millions of
naira.
It was alleged that Alase, a primary six
certificate holder, had a duplex at Oluyole
Estate in Ibadan, a shopping complex in the
city, a warehouse at Podo area of the city, a
fenced plot at Dugbe, a block of four flats at
Apeye, two plots of land and five-bedroom
flat in other parts of the Oyo State capital.
He was alleged to have a credit balance of
N132m in one of his bank accounts.
The commission also alleged that Alase
possessed a block of five-bedroom flat at
Apete, Ibadan and a supermarket at New
Garage, Apata area of Ibadan.
Other accused persons, including Olaniran
Adeola, Ayodele Adeyemi, Isiaq Akano and
others were also said to own property in
South Africa, filling stations, cement shops,
schools, supermarkets, exotic cars and
buildings in several locations in Nigeria.
A woman, Mrs. Afolabi Olunike, was alleged
to be an owner of a duplex, several plots of
land, a storey building and another three
acres of land.
Earlier, during the hearing, Alase had
delayed proceedings of the court when he
claimed not to understand English Language
when charges were read to him.
Lead prosecution for EFCC, Mr. Rotimi Jacob
(SAN), faulted his claim, alleging that
although Alase was employed as a guard,
he rose to become a cash assistant in First
Bank Plc.
Justice A.O. Faaji later ruled that an
interpreter should be provided to ease
communication between the court and the
accused.
On Wednesday, cases were heard before
Justice Faaji in batches with the first set of
accused persons arraigned on 28 counts
They are Kolawole Babalola, Olaniran
Adeola, Toogun Phillip, Ayodele Adeyemi,
Isiaq Akano, Oyebamiji Akeem, Alase,
Ajiwe Adegoke and Idowu Oguntade, who
is still at large.
Three officials of the CBN were among the
accused, while others were from Wema
Bank Plc and First Bank Plc.
Prosecution counsel, Mr. Rotimi (SAN), told
the court that the accused persons were
charged with 28 counts, which included
forgery of documents, conspiracy and
stealing.
According to the charge sheet, the accused
persons were charged with intent to
defraud and conspiracy to commit an
offence punishable under the Nigerian law.
They all pleaded not guilty to all the
allegations.
Efforts of counsel for the accused persons
to secure bail for them through oral
application, failed as Justice Faaji ruled that
they should be remanded in prisons
pending further hearing.
The case was adjourned till June 8, 2015 for
hearing of the bail applications.