A serving commissioner under the Ekiti State Local Government Service Commission, was arraigned on Wednesday before an Ado-Ekiti chief magistrate court for allegedly stealing N5million worth of granite.
Gov. Fayose
The operatives of the Nigerian Police on Wednesday, arraigned Dare Omotoso, an aide to Governor Ayodele Fayose, for allegedly stealing granite worth N5 million.
The 64-year-old Omotoso, who is Commissioner 2 in the Local Government Service Commission (LGSC), and was docked at an Ado Ekiti Chief Magistrate’s Court, pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him by the court clerk.
The charge sheet reads: “That you, Dare Omotoso, sometimes in the month of August 2016 and September 2016 did steal granites and stone dust valued about Five Million, One Hundred and Forty Thousand, Eight Hundred Naira (N5,140,800) property of Primadet & Co. Ltd thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 390(9) of Criminal Code Cap C16 Laws of Ekiti State 2012.”
Police Prosecutor, Inspector Caleb Leramo, told the court that he has lined up five witnesses to give evidence against the accused person including the complainant, but however, applied for an adjournment to study the case file and documents relevant to the case.
Defence counsel, O.B. Farounbi, pleaded for bail for his client in accordance with Section 15 of Ekiti State Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2013.
Farounbi urged the court to grant the commissioner bail on liberal terms, promising the court that the accused would always make himself available for trial whenever the matter is called.
The lawyer described his client as “a well-respected person in the society who is serving as a commissioner in the state.”
Chief Magistrate, Adesoji Adegboye granted Omotoso bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties with verifiable addresses in like sum.
One of the two sureties, according to the magistrate, must be a senior civil servant.
He subsequently adjourned the case to June 9 for hearing.