Ex-Ogun lawmaker, two others docked for stealing

Three top notchers of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, including a two term Ogun State House of Assembly member, Hon. Sikirulai Ogundele, were on Wednesday arraigned before an Abeokuta Magistrate Court over alleged stealing of the party’s membership registers.

The accused which also include Steve Oliyide and Ogunseye Olabode, were docked before Justice O.A Sofowora on a three count charge which include, conspiracy, stealing and causing breach of peace in the state.

The Prosecutor, Sunday Egbajuile, at the mention of the case with suit number MC/218/c/2016 told the court that the accused committed the crime on April 10, 2016 at the state secretariat of the party located on Presidential Boulevard, Abeokuta, while other suspects were still at large.

The three count charge reads; “that you Ogunseye Olabode ‘m’, Steve Oliyide ‘m’, Sikirulai Ogundele ‘m’, and others still at large, on the 10th of April, 2016 at about 2200hrs at PDP secretariat Abeokuta, in Abeokuta Magisterial District, did conspire together to commit felony to with, attempt to steal and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 516 of the criminal code laws of Ogun State of Nigeria 2006.

“That you Ogunseye Olabode, Steve Oliyide, Sikirulai Ogundele and other still at large, on the same date, time and place at the aforementioned magisterial district, did conduct yourselves in a manner to cause the breach of peace and thereby committed and offence contrary to and punishable under section 249(d) of the criminal code law of Ogun State of Nigeria 2006.

“That you Ogunseye Olabode, Steve Oliyide, Sikirulai Ogundele and others still at large on the same date, time and place at the aforementioned magisterial district, did attempt to steal two hundred and thirty-six (236) PDP membership registers which belong to Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party, thereby committed an offence contrary to section 508 and punishable under section 509 of the criminal code law of Ogun State of Nigeria 2006”

However, the complainant, which is the leadership of the party was absent at the court, while the accused were in court and said they were not guilty when the charge was read to them. The defence. Counsel, Kayode Akinsola, who fought tooth and nail to secure bail for them said it was a bailable offence.

Akinsola, while arguing for the bail of his clients, told the court that all of them are of reputable character who have no record of criminal offence, profusely made reference to one of them, Sikirulai Ogundele, who he said was a two time member of the Ogun State House of Assembly.

‘My lord the accused persons are of good character. They can be vouched for, they have no criminal records. I can tell you that one of them was a two time lawmaker with the Ogun State House of Assembly. I can assure you that they cannot jump bail’,Akinsola told the court.

The judge, Mrs. O.A Sofowora, in her ruling granted the accused bail in the sum of N250,000 each, with sureties who must be resident in Abeokuta, adding that both the accused and sureties must also submit their passport photographs with the court. She, thereafter adjourned the case till April 28 for further hearing