CORRUPTION TRIAL:ALAO AKALA IN COURT, REPRESENTED BY 20 LAWYERS

Former Governor of Oyo State, Otunba Christopher Alao- Akala was arraigned before an Oyo State High Court, Ibadan, today.
Alao-Akala was arrested last week over allegations that he  embezzled public funds that was put in his care when he served as governor of Oyo State.
 The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission who brought the corruption charges against the Ogbomosho born politician said he embezzled the sum of about 11 Billion Naira (The current exchange rate of dollars to Naira is N154 to $1 USD)
Gistmaster gathered that Alao- Akala was not the only one facing the charges. A serving member of the National Assembly, Senator Hosea Ayoola Agboola and a businessman, Mr. Olufemi Babalola were also charged along with Akala who was popularly known as 'Oyato' Governor while in office.
  Senator Agboola was a former Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftancy affairs in Otunba Alao- Akala's last administration. The EFCC said he has questions to answer as far as award of contracts without budget provision is concerned.
 They were also accused of concealing the genuine ownership of two prime properties in London.
  The three accused persons pleaded not guilty and the lawyer for the EFCC, Mr. Godwin Obla asked the court to fix a date for the commencement of their trial. But Chief Bola Ayorinde (SAN) said he had already filed a bail application for Alao- Akala and the two other accused persons.
 The judge then adjourned the case till tomorrow so that the EFCC counsel can file his own response.He also said the should be remanded in the custody of the State Security Service.
Gistmaster gathered that former governor of Oyo State, Alao- Akala and the two other accused persons have 20 lawyers representing them, three of who hold the title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (The equal rank to the Queens Counsel in the English Bar)
-Niyi Tabiti