8th June, 2011
Former Speaker, Dimeji Bankole was this morning docked by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, before Justice Donatus Okorowo of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
He is facing a 16-count charge bordering on inflation of the cost of procuring electronic appliances and vehicles for the House of Representatives while he was in office.
Bankole pleaded not guilty to all the charges as they were read to him by the court Registrar.
After entering his plea, his lawyer, Chief Adegboyega attempted to move an application for the bail of the former Speaker but his efforts were foiled by the Prosecutor, Mr. Festus Keyamo who pointed out that he is entitled to 48 hours to respond to the the bail application.
Consequently, Justice Okorowo adjourned the hearing of the bail application till Friday 10 June and ordered that Mr. Bankole be remanded in the custody of the anti-graft agency.
Trial was fixed for 26 July.
Bankole was arrested by EFCC operatives on Sunday night after a 4-hour standoff between his guards and the EFCC personnel.
—Nnamdi Felix/Abuja