The Ibadan zonal command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought charges against eleven students from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) who were arrested on suspicion of involvement in internet fraud.
The suspects were arraigned before Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel at the Federal High Court in Osogbo, Osun State, on November 6.
Earlier, on November 1, the EFCC had conducted a raid on off-campus hostels in OAU’s host community of Ile-Ife, resulting in the arrest of approximately 69 suspects.
Most of the suspects were subsequently released, but eleven of them were found to have cases to answer.
The defendants are facing various charges, with counts ranging from one to six.
They include Perekebena Olombeni Micah, Nnekwelugo Nnaemeka, Moyosore Favour Oluwasakin, Aghwaritoma Wisdom Obaro, Daniel Olashile Maiye, Gbolahan Khalid Adesina, Yinka Temitope Jayeola, Olumuyiwa Emmanuel Adeleye, Abiola Emmanuel Oluwadare, Busari Abdulazeez Ayodeji, and Okesipe Tobiloba Paul.
Nine of the defendants are facing one-count charges, while Micah and Obaro each face six-count charges.
Upon their arraignment, all the defendants pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.
Oluwatoyin Owodunni, the prosecution counsel, requested trial dates and the remand of the defendants at a correctional center.
In response, defense counsels for Ayodeji, Adesina, Oluwasakin, Micah, Adeleye, and Okesipe informed the court of “motions for bail applications” filed on behalf of their clients.
Judge Ayo-Emmanuel granted bail to Ayodeji, Adesina, Oluwasakin, Adeleye, and Okesipe in the sum of N2 million each, while Micah was granted bail in the sum of N3 million.
The bail conditions also require two sureties in like sum, with the first surety being the defendant’s parent and the second surety a relative, sibling, clergy, or civil servant with the Osun government.
The judge adjourned the cases to November 29 and December 12 for the commencement of trial and remanded the defendants at the Ilesha correctional center in Osun until the bail conditions are met.