By Bamidele Kolawole

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The Oba-Elect of Araromi-Ekiti in Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Babalola Babatunde, who was arraigned for forgery at the Federal High Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State, has been granted bail.

In an application moved by Attah Paul, counsel to the defendant before the court, he prayed that his client should be released on self-recognition.

He said the application was supported by an 18-paragraph affidavit, adding that the defendant/applicant had never been arraigned or convicted in the past.

But the Prosecution Attorney, Itunun Osobu, in the paragraph seven of his counter-affidavit, pointed out that the defendant/applicant failed to honour the invitation of the police until he was arrested.

Having listened to both attorneys, the presiding judge, Justice O.O. Owoeye, stood down the matter till 1:00 pm to write his ruling.

When the court reconvened at 1:05pm, Justice Owoeye granted the suspect bail in the sum of N3million with two sureties in like sum.

The sureties, he added must have landed property within the jurisdiction of the court.

But the court directed that the suspect be kept in the police custody till he meets the bail conditions.

The judge adjourned the case till June 27, 2024, for hearing of the substantive matter.

Babatunde was arraigned on Monday May 20, 2024, at the Federal High Court sitting in Akure on a two-count charge.    

The charge sheet with suit No: FHC/AK/16/2024 reads inter alia: “That you, Babalola Babatunde on or about January 15, 2008, at the University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did make and alter a forged University of Ibadan result which you knew to be false and with intent that it may be used or acted upon as genuine by the University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti to offer you a job and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 1(2)(c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.

“That you, Babalola Babatunde on or about January 15, 2008, at the University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekit,i, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did make and alter a forged National Youth Service Corps Certificate which you knew to be false and with intent that it may be used or acted upon as genuine by the University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, to offer you a job and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 1(2)(c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.”

But he pleaded not guilty to the charges.