An Osun State High Court, Osogbo on Friday granted bail to ex- Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Prof. Anthony Elujoba and bursar, Mrs Aderonke Akeredolu.
The duo were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) on seven count charge of conspiracy, stealing, fraud and disbursement of fund to colleagues account.
The court had earlier been sitting in Ede, but the Tuesday sitting was greeted with a violent protest by the staff and students of OAU following the remand order of Elujoba in Ilesa prison by Justice David Oladimeji.
However, at the sitting at the Osogbo High court, security was tightened as police van blocked the street leading to the court as well as placed security vehicles at strategic positions both within the court and outside the court premises.
Movement was also restricted into the court premises but scores of members of staff and students of OAU made their way inside the premises.
The Judge, Oladimeji in his ruling said, that the defense counsel, Mr. Ibrahim Lawal has filed formal bail application while the EFCC prosecutor also countered the application.
He said “I have gone through the allegation against the two accused persons they are bailable offenses and the two accused are members of OAU management board and with the affidavit of the duo, I grant them bail.
“I have gone through the proof of evidence, the first and second accused person did not have criminal record and when they were granted administrative bail they have never refused to show up at the EFCC office in Ibadan.”
Oladimeji granted bail to Elujoba based on self recognition, ordering him not to travel throughout the trial period while Akeredolu was granted bail on the sum of N50million with two sureties.
He said “The two sureties are to be members of the academic or nonacademic staff of the university community with highest grade of salaries.”
Packaged by Bunmi Oladejo
