THE Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, arraigned one Babalola Funmilayo Florence, a former worker at a popular radio station in Kwara State for giving false information to the Commission.
Babalola, 51, was arraigned on a two-count charge before Justice Muhammed Sani of the Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin.
The defendant allegedly in her statement to the Commission, falsely denied ownership of a White Lexus 350 SUV linked to her, while the car documents, as well as her chats with the car seller, proved the contrary.
Count one of the charges reads: “That you, Babalola Funmilayo Florence, between 30th March 2021 and 16th July 2021 at No 1, Catchment Close, Off Forest Road, GRA, Ilorin, Kwara State, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court made to Ayoku Ganiyat, an Officer of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in the course of the exercise of the duties of her office, discovered that you gave statements which to your knowledge was false, to wit: you know your name is on the car documents of the White Lexus 350jeep with Reg. No. FST741GH and you did not purchase the car, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 39 (2) (a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004 and punishable under section 39 (2) (b) of the same Act.”
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Following her plea, counsel to the EFCC, Andrew Akoja, asked the court for a date to commence trial, but the defence counsel urged the court to admit the defendant to bail.
Ruling on the bail application, Justice Sani admitted Babalola Funmilayo to bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in like sum. The judge ordered the defendant to be remanded in the custody of the EFCC until the perfection of her bail conditions.
Head, Media and Publicity, EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, said the case has been adjourned till May 26, 2022, for commencement of trial.
In another development, Justice Sani convicted and sentenced one Tejumola Habeeblah from Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State to six months imprisonment, having found him guilty of one count bordering on cybercrime levelled against him by the EFCC.
