A Federal High Court in Abuja has remanded the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission till June 10.
Bankole had been arraigned by the EFCC on a 16-count charge of contract inflation and fraudulent embezzlement of public fund.
Bankole was arrested on Sunday night at his guest house in Asokoro, Abuja by EFCC operatives and arraigned before Justice Donatus Okorowa.
The EFCC accused Bankole and other principal officers of the House now at large of hiking the cost of vehicles, television sets and office equipment purchased by the House in 2008.
Bankole, whose legal team of 18 lawyers is led by Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), however, pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charge. Thereafter, his lawyers made an oral application made for his bail.
But EFCC counsel, Festus Keyamo, leading two others, raised objection to the oral bail application and insisted on the proper filing of the matter.
In his ruling, Justice Okorowa adjourned the case till Friday for arguments on the bail application.
Source: The Punch