Daniel, Alao-Akala, Doma’s trial begins today,Alao-Akala, 2 aides face 11-count charge •Daniel’s charges to be filed today •Ex-govs flown out of Abuja •7 choice properties traced to Doma •Goje surrenders, detained

  

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday confirmed the arraignment of former Governors Adebayo Alao-Akala of Oyo State, Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State and Aliyu Akwe-Doma of Nasarawa State for today, over a combined alleged N101 billion fraud they allegedly perpetrated while in office.
This came as wanted former governor of Gombe State, Senator Danjuma Goje, surrendered to the commission at about 5.00a.m. on Monday and was subsequently detained over an alleged N52 billion fraud he allegedly perpetrated within eight years in office.
The commission had accused Daniel of stealing N58 billion between 1999 and 2007; Alao-Akala, N25 billion in four years and Doma, N18 billion, also within four years.
The commission is prosecuting the accused with the exception of Doma in the high courts in their home states for alleged stealing and Doma will be arraigned at the Federal High Court, for money laundering.
The arraignment of Daniel and Alao-Akala in their respective states starts today while the Abuja end will begin at a yet-to-be disclosed date.
Preparatory to today’s arraignment, the commission, at about 3.00 p.m. on Monday, moved Alao-Akala and Daniel to Lagos from Abuja where they had been detained since their arrest last Thursday aboard Arik aircraft.

They were reportedly put on economy flight.
The duo are expected to be moved by road from Lagos to Abeokuta and Ibadan respectively this morning for their arraignment while Doma would be arraigned before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja today.
Doma was alleged to have laundered the public funds he allegedly stole through banks in Abuja, which gives the Federal High Court the requisite jurisdiction over his trial.

Alao-Akala is to be arraigned before Justice Moshood Abass of High Court, Ring-Road today, with the prosecution to be led by Yunus Ustaz and supported by Godwin Obla.
The commission was also said to be on the trail of Senate Deputy Whip, Senator Hosea Agboola, who was charged alongside Alao-Akala in his capacity as the former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
Major consultant to the state during Alao-Akala’s administration, Mr Femi Babalola, owner of Jogor Centre, who was the main contractor that handled the controversial N8.2 billion road project, was also charged alongside the former governor.
Nigerian Tribune was told that Agboola was quietly quizzed about a fortnight ago by the anti-corruption commission, but was not made a media event.
Babafemi said all those charged would be produced for trial.
Daniel was charged alongside some of his commissioners and the state former Accountant-General.
The prosecution in Daniel’s case is to be led by Rotimi Jacobs, while Kemi Phinero will lead the charge against Doma.
Seven choice properties allegedly purchased by cronies were said to have been traced to Doma, while Daniel was alleged to have diverted about N12 billon revenue of the Ogun State Bureau of Lands, as well as authorising payment of N300 million electricity utility charges by the state Electricity Project Agency, despite direct deduction of same from different ministries, departments and agencies
Babafemi, while confirming the detention of Goje, disclosed that he (Goje) got into Abuja at about 4.00 a.m from where he had been hiding and made an appearance at about 5.00 a.m at the commission, in company with one Sade, a lawyer from the chambers of his counsel, Chief Niyi Akintola.
At press time, he was said to be undergoing interrogation which might take about two days before he would have his day in court.
The planned arraignment of the trio of Alao-Akala, Daniel and Doma on Monday was stalled by the ongoing judges’ conference in Sokoto.
Ex-govs’aides besiege court premises
Meanwhile, following reports that Chief Alao-Akala would be brought to an Oyo State High Court, Ibadan, for commencement of his trial, scores of journalists, lawyers and State Security Service (SSS) personnel besieged both the High Court complexes on the Ring Road and Iyaganku to witness the trial of the former chief executive of Oyo State.
Also, supporters and aides of Chief Alao-Akala besieged the state High Court, Ring-Road, awaiting the much publicised arraignment of their leader
Those who stormed the courts in high expectations were, however, let down, when neither the accused nor the prosecutor was seen within the precinct of the court.
Journalists had a hectic time locating the court where Alao-Akala would be arraigned, before information filtered through that he would be arraigned at the state High Court, Ring Road.
By 2.00 p.m, journalists, both local and international, were still hanging around, awaiting the arrival of the EFCC team who were said to be coming from Lagos.
Investigations, however, revealed that the former governor might not be arraigned, as proper filling of charges had not been perfected at the court.
Also, supporters of Daniel, in their hundreds, as early as 9.00 a.m, besieged the court, located on the IBB Presidential Boulevard, Abeokuta, while security operatives were strategically positioned within and around the court.
Journalists, who were screened before they could gain entry into the premises were disappointed, as the news filtered through that the anti-graft agency had not filed charges against the ex-governor.
Nigerian Tribune reliably learnt that Daniel might be arraigned before the state High Court on Tuesday (today).
A source told the Nigerian Tribune that at the close of work on Monday, the EFCC was yet to file charges against Daniel at the State High Court, Isabo, Abeokuta.
Among his loyalists at the court included the chairman, Neuropsychiatry Hospital, Aro, Chief Iyabo Apampa; former Commissioner for Education, Mr Yemi Akin-wonmi; former chairman, Ifo Local Government Area, Mr Sikirulai Ogundele and a Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) stalwart, Alhaji Nurudeen Olaleye.