Graft: Judge’s Absence Stalls Trial of Community Development Association Chairman, 2 Others

The absence of Honourable Justice O.A. Ipaye of an Ikeja High Court, Lagos, has stalled the commencement of the trial of Mr. Adegunwa Oshinubi, a former Chairman of Ogunbiyi Community Development Association (Computer Village), Ikeja, Lagos and two other members of the association, Mrs. Mopelola Ogunajo and Mr. Adesanya Adelaja.

Mr. Oshinubi and his accomplices had earlier been arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on a 4-count charge bordering on abuse of office, gratification and making false statement under oath.

The accused, in a charge No: ID/2187/c/2012, was alleged to have received a Zenith Bank cheque in the sum of N1,000,000:00 in his name while being the Chairman of Ogunbiyi Community Development Association from one Engr. Aderibigbe Adewale of T & K Global Services Ltd who represented LG Mobile in the signage contract with the said association.

Their action is contrary to and punishable under Sections 19 and 25 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

The accused persons, if found guilty, shall on conviction be liable to five (5) years imprisonment without any option of fine.

After a ‘not guilty plea’ by the accused during the arraignment, the matter was slated for 24th January, 2017, for commencement of trial but did not hold due to the trial judge’s other engagements. The new date for the commencement of trial is now fixed for 9th March, 2017.