Alleged Fraud: After Three Years, Court Frees Ex-OAU Acting VC
Three years after their arraignment for alleged fraud, an Osun State High Court in Osogbo on Thursday discharged and acquitted a former acting vice-chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU) Ile Ife, Anthony Elujoba, and ex-acting bursar, Josephine Akeredolu.
The judge, Wasiu Akanbi, said the prosecution’s case lacks merit.
Mr Elujoba and Ms Akeredolu were arraigned in July 2017 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over a petition accusing them of fraud, conversion of public funds, conspiracy and abuse of office.
The officials were said to have illegally awarded N5,477,595 as furniture allowance to themselves.
EFCC also accused Mr Elujoba’s one year administration of illegal diversion of N1.4 billion paid to workers in the university as earned allowances and productivity bonus.
But giving his judgement on Thursday, Mr Akanbi said the prosecution did not prove any of the seven-count charges against the defendants.
He said the prosecution team led by M.S. Usman called three witnesses but tendered exhibits with contradictory evidence before the court.
The judge also said Mr Elujoba’s appointment letter stated that he would be entitled to fringe benefits, even though he was to serve for six months. The judge also noted that the OAU Governing Board and the Federal Ministry of Education did not report that any money was missing.
Mr Akanbi said the claim by the prosecution witnesses that the acting vice chancellor was entitled to N722, 797.26 since he did not serve for four years could not be proved. He, therefore, discharged and acquitted the two.
