High profile corruption: Gbenga Daniel’s N2.6b fraud vs Borishade’s N5.2b scam

In our review of high profile corruption trials today, former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel was accused of N2.6 billion fraud which he managed to box the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to the corner.

In the second case, a former Minister of Aviation, Babalola Borishade, and others were arraigned for a N5.2 billion contract scam.

The case was, however, assumed closed with the death of Borishade on April 27, 2017, in London after a brief illness at the age of 71.

Read on:

Gbenga Daniel – N2.636 billion fraud

Extension of charges by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the corruption charges being leveled against Otunba Gbenga Daniel, a former Governor of Ogun State is dragging his trial.

The case ought to have been closed on June 8, 2018, as promised by the EFCC to allow Daniel to open his defence against the charges. On June 27, 2018, the EFCC further increased its official corruption charges against Daniel.

The former governor was filing his fresh application to put a stop to endless amendments by EFCC to close the almost eight years old trial.

Recall that Daniel was arraigned by the EFCC on November 28, 2011, at the Ogun State High Court on charge ID: AB/EFCC/02/11 on a 43-count charge of corruption allegedly committed while in office.

The EFCC after the first 16 count charges earlier filed, amended the case with additional 27.

Daniel’s lead counsel, Taiwo Osipintan, SAN, suggested January 19 and 20, 2012 as adjournment date after consultation with the EFCC counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, and was later granted bail by the judge.

In his ruling on the adjournment date, Mabekoje stated that trial would commence by January 19 and 20, 2012 and that Daniel would take his pleas on the new corruption charges urging the two parties to prepare for the trial.

However, in the EFCC charge sheet containing the fresh 27 charges among others allegations, the former Governor was alleged to have fraudulently converted aggregate sum of N2,636,940,99.50k (two billion, six hundred and thirty six million, nine hundred and forty thousand, ninety-nine naira and fifty kobo) to private use.

The EFCC in its charge sheet alleged that Daniel in conjunction with Toner World Limited (TWL), now at large, between 2009 and 2010 converted the said sum to the use of Toner World and Gas Limited (TWOGL).

The State High Court in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on March 2, 2012, discharged and acquitted the former governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, of corruption charges.

The Ogun state high court judge stated that the EFCC, had not provided sufficient evidence of corruption against Mr. Daniel.

On April 2, 2014, the EFCC tendered 25 evidences as exhibits against Daniel on the alleged corruption allegation leveled again him as his trial over corruption charges resumed proceeding before the trial Judge, Justice Olanrewaju Mabekoje admitted the exhibits.

The commission also called two witnesses from the Bureau of Land who were crossed examined by both counsels to Daniel and EFCC, Professor Taiwo Osipintan SAN, and Rotimi Jacobs SAN, respectively.

Justice Olanrewaju Mabekoje adjourned further hearing till September 10 and 14, 2018.

However, no available record to establish the current status of this case.

Babalola Borishade – N5.2 billion contract scam

Prof. Babalola Borishade died on April 27, 2017 in London after a brief illness at the age of 71.

Babalola Borishade, a former Minister of Aviation, and others were arraigned before the Federal High Court, FCT, Abuja in 2008 with charge No. CR/09/08 on November 19, 2009 by the EFCC on a 15-count charge of taking bribe and forging aviation contract documents.

It was alleged that Borishade, his former personal assistant, Tunde Dairo, and two others allegedly mismanaged a N5.2 billion Aviation Safe Tower contract funds.

Others on trial for the alleged offence were former managing director of the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Rowland Iyayi, an Australian, George Eider, and Avsatel Communications Ltd.

The EFCC on February 4, 2016, reopened the case before Justice Abubakar Sadiq Umar of the FCT High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, following request by the AGF to be briefed about the suit filed by the EFCC against the former Minister of Aviation, Babalola Borishade and four others.

However trial was stalled by the AGF’s request on the case.

Borishade’s death on April 27, 2017, in London after a brief illness at the age of 71 has put the case at lull.

The case may therefore be assumed closed.

Read also:

High profile corruption: Dangote, Danjuma, ors indicted in Panama Papers’ scandal

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[This Publication includes part of a compendium by Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) covering corruption cases as at 22nd of November, 2019.