Contrary to media reports that Otunba Gbenga Daniel has been discharged andย acquitted by the ruling of an Abeokuta High Court today, the EFCC wishes to clarify that the ruling of Justice Olanrewaju Mabekoje was not aย discharge and acquittal of the former Ogun State Governor.
The trial judge only released Mr. Daniel on the sole technical ground thatย the Commission failed to seek the consent of court before filing theย amended charges against the former governor.
Consequent on the ruling striking out the charges, the Commission will immediately apply to the Chief Judge of Ogun State for leave to re-file the charges against Otunba Daniel.ย We consider it prudent andย reasonable to re-file the charges immediately as advised by Justiceย Mabekoje in the said ruling, as against lodging an appeal against theย judgment, which action may take several months to decide at the Court of Appeal.
For the avoidance of doubt, the court did not rule on the competence orย merit of the charges against Otunba Daniel, therefore, he was notย discharged and acquitted by the ruling today.
Daniel was first arraigned on October 12, 2011 on a 16-count charge ofย stealing, fraudulent conversion and failure to declare assets. Heย pleaded not guilty to the charges and was admitted to bail, on Octoberย 14, 2011 in the sum of N500million and two sureties in like sum. Theย charges were later amended to 43 counts.
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Wilson Uwujaren
Ag. Head, Media & Publicity
