By Fsayo Akinduro, Osogbo

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The former National Chairman of the Action Alliance (AA), Mr Kenneth Udeze, was on Tuesday re-arraigned before an Osogbo Magistrate’s Court over alleged electoral fraud, forgery.
Also arraigned alongside Udeze were former National Secretary of the party, Mr James Vernibe and one Ogunmodede Oluwagbemi.
The trio were arraigned on three counts bothering on conspiracy, fraud and forgery.
The accused persons however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.
The embattled former National Chairman of AA had earlier been remanded at Ilesa prison custody following his arraignment.
The former national chairman, who was recently expelled by the leadership of the party, was arrested by operatives of Zone 11 of the Nigerian Police Force headquarters in Osogbo.
Udeze was alleged to have replaced the name of the duly elected governorship candidate of the party in Osun State with another person during the 2018 governorship election held in the state.
Appearing before the court on Tuesday, Udeze and other accused persons were granted provisional bail by Magistrate Adebola Ajanaku who presided over the case.
Ajanaku also ruled that all the sureties standing in for the accused persons should appear in court on May 25, 2021 being the next adjourning date.
According to the charge sheet, Udeze and other accused persons had in July 2018 conspired to commit felony and fraud, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 516 of the criminal code, Laws of Osun State.
Also, Udeze was alleged to have fraudulently ultered the documents of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and presented same as original.
The offence was said to be contrary to the provisions of section 468 and punishable under section 469 of the criminal code, Laws of Osun State.
However, counsel to the accused persons, Mr M O Olaniyan prayed the court to allow his clients enjoy the bail already granted them by the court.
Although, the Police Prosecutor, Mr Olufemi Olanipekun opposed the bail application, the court held that the accused persons should be allowed to enjoy the bail already granted them.