More troubles for Gbenga Daniel

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has told an Ogun State high court sitting in Abeokuta that it has prepared more criminal charges against former governor of Ogun State , Gbenga Daniel. The EFCC counsel, Rotimi Jacobs stated this today while asking the trial judge, Justice Olanrewaju Mabekoje, for a short adjournment to enable him file additional charges against the former governor.

Daniel had on October 12 been arraigned before the court on a 16-count charge of stealing and diversion of state funds for personal use. After taking his plea and subsequently granted bail on some stringent conditions, the case was adjourned to 17th November for commencement of trial.

When the matter came up today, counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs, sought the court’s leave for a week’s adjournment based on the fact that more charges have been prepared against the accussed which the prosecution intends to file before the court. He said he was however ready for trial to commence if the court insists.

According to him,”My Lord,I have just received a brief from my client which says additional charges against the accussed person have been added to the existing 16-count charge. I hope to file these charges before your Lordship so a full-scale trial can commence. Although I have my witnesses in court and I am aslo prepared if your Lordship says trial must begin.But I strongly feel that it will be most appropriate to file these new charges so when I need to refer to issues raised in them during trial,it will be convenient.”

The presiding judge then asked the defence counsel, Taiwo Oshipitan, SAN, if he has any objection to which he answered no. The case was thereafter adjourned to November 28.

It will be recalled that the former governor was granted bail by the court on Friday October 14 in the sum of N500 million and two sureties in like sum.

The sureties who must have landed property within the jurisdiction of the court were also to submit the title of same to the court registrar along with their passport photographs.