A fresh move by Dr. Dayo Olagunju, Executive Secretary, National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non- Formal Education, to retrieve his seized travel documents was on Thursday January 21 halted by a Federal High Court in Abuja where he is standing trial along with other 10 top officials of the Agency on an 83 amended count charge.

The trial judge, Justice Anuli Chikere had on Wednesday, December 16 2009, refused to grant the application of temporary release of the travel documents of Dr Olagunju.

Dr. Olagunju and his directors were on Friday July 24, 2009, arraigned before Justice Chikere, on a 17 count charge of criminal conspiracy, criminal misappropriation of public funds, diversion, stealing, retaining and processing proceeds of crimes, and awarding of contracts in excess of the approved limit, all totaling N479 million.

Other co-accused are Joshua Durodola Alao , Alice Atteh Abang, Jibrin Rikichi Waguna, Ahmed Abubakar, Shehu Abdullahi, Dr. Victoria King- Nwachukwu,  Adamu Khalid, Moses Oseni, Francis Awalewa and Bashir Tanko Suleiman.

At the resumed hearing on Thursday, defence counsel, Barrister Oluwole Aladedoye, drew the attention of the court to an application dated November 3 and filed November 4, 2009. Olagunju, through his counsel, had in the motion, prayed the court that his travel documents be released to enable him visit his family in Canada; more so that his wife of 17 years had just given birth to their first kids, a triplet. Justice Chikere had at the last hearing, turned down the application on the ground that she needed time to study all applications filed.

The prosecution counsel, Barrister Mike Bul, Thursday, again opposed the motion on the ground that releasing his travel documents could be risky. He further said that since the documents in question were part of the conditions for his bail, there is no guarantee that if released to him, he would return to Nigeria to face trial.

He further said, “The accused needs someone to guarantee the release of the documents. That, he has not done. It will be very risky to release the travel documents. We thereby oppose the release. We pray your Lordship to grant what is grantable.”

The Judge then adjourned till February 4, 2010 for ruling on the release or otherwise of the travel documents of the accused. Plea on the 83 fresh charges filed on December 16, 2009, would also be taken at the next adjourned date.

It would be recalled that a fresh 83 count charge was filed on December 16, 2009 to replace the 17 count charge previously filed.

Part of the charges read: “That you, DAYO OLAGUNJU on 18th November, 2008, at Area 3 Garki, Abuja Federal Capital Territory within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, while being Public Officers to wit, Executive Secretary, of National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non- Formal Education, did award contracts in excess of the set threshold to NETWORK ASSOCIATES LTD to the tune of N38, 922,397.50 contrary to Section.22 (3) of the Public Procurement act 2007.

“That you, DAYO OLUGUNJU on 18th November, 2008, at Area 3 Garki, Abuja Federal Capital Territory within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, while being Public Officers to wit, Executive Secretary, of National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non- Formal Education, did award contracts in excess of the set threshold to DANAB GLOBAL SERVICES LTD to the tune of N42, 556,867.50 contrary to Section.22 (3) of the Public Procurement Act 2007

“That you, DAYO OLAGUNJU on November 18, 2008, at Area 3 Garki, Abuja Federal Capital Territory within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while being a public officer to wit, Executive Secretary, of National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education, did award contracts in excess of the set threshold to FOCUS INTERGRATED SERVICES LTD to the tune of N28, 806,250.00 contrary to Section 22 (3) of the Public Procurement Act 2007.”

 

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