26th March , 2025
Azeez Folorunso
A Lagos State High Court Sitting in Ikeja, presiding over by Justice Ismail Ijelu, has granted one Oluwabukunola Gadzama bail of 5m over alleged N34 million theft.
Oluwabukunola was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) on a two-count charge bordering Stealing and Retention of proceeds of crime.
She, however, pleaded not guilt to the charges when read to her.
The EFCC prosecuting, Counsel Franklin Ofoma prayed to the court for a trial date and also order for the remand of the defendant at the correctional facilities.
The defence counsel I. O. Lala told the court that he has an application for summon for bail dated March 26, 2025.
He also said that the defendant is ready to stand trail as the Offences charged are bailable.
The EFCC Prosecuting counsel objected to the application informing the court that the defendant has jumped the administrative bail given to her by the EFCC on November 20, 2024.
Justice Ijelu in his bench ruling granted the defendant a bail of 5 million.
“In line with justice I grant the defendant N5 million bail, with two responsible surties in like sum. One of the surties must be blood related and gainfully employed. The residence of the surties shall be verify with evidence of tax payment in Lagos state for the past three years.
“The addresses of the defendant and surties shall be verified by the Chief Registrar of High Court of Lagos State.
“I remand the defendant at the correctional center pending the perfection of the bail application, I adjourned April 15, 2025 for trail,” the court ruled.
Some of the charges reads:”Oluwabukunola Gadzama and Buildcon Global Services Limited sometimes within October 2021 and April 2022, in Lagos, with a dishonest intent, stile and converted for your own use the sum of N34,500,000.00 property of Adeyemi Joshua being the purchase price of a 300sqm land of mak court Estate, Lekki Lagos.”
“Oluwabukunola Gadzama and Buildcon Global Services Limited sometimes within October 2021 and April 2022, in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, retained the aggregate sum of N34,500,000.00 (Thirty Four Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira) being proceeds of criminal activities, to wit; stealing.”
