Gbenga Daniel Returns To Court Today Over Alleged Corruption Charges

Former governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel will appear before Justice Olanrewaju  Mabekoje of Ogun State High Court 4, today to take his plea on a 43-count charge  as the corruption case against him by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, resumes.

Daniel, had on November 28, 2011, pleaded for more time to study the 27 additional count charge by EFCC after the first 16 count charge earlier filed. It will be recalled that the former governor was accused of diverting public funds into his personal accounts during his eight years as governor of the state.

Sequel to the amendment of 16 count charge by EFCC, Daniel’s lead counsel, Taiwo Osipintan, at the last hearing, pleaded with the court  to allow his client study the new charges.

Osipintan 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 other allegations, the former governor was alleged to have fraudulently converted aggregate sum of Two billion, six hundred and thirty six million, nine hundred and forty thousand, ninety-nine naira and fifty kobo (N2,636,940,99.50k) 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.