Elujoba, ex-OAU VC, granted bail on self recognition

An Osun high court on Friday granted bail to Anthony Elujoba, former vice-chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife.

Elujoba is facing a seven-count charge of fraud, conspiracy and abuse of office alongside Ronke Akeredolu, former bursar of the university.

David Oladimeji, the judge, granted Elujoba bail on self recognition while Akeredolu was granted bail in the sum of N50 million and with two sureties in like sum.

The judge said the sureties must be academics and high-ranking officers within the university.

Earlier on Tuesday, he ruled that Elujoba be remanded in Ilesa Prison until July 19 – the date initially fixed for his bail hearing.

But he later reversed the judgment and ordered that the accused person be remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), after a protest by staff and students of the university.

At the Friday sitting, Oladimeji condemned the “shameful” attitude put up by the protesters during the first hearing.

He said such an attitude could have prevented the court from granting the bail application filed by the defendant.

Festus Ojo, the EFCC counsel, had told the court that the defendants allegedly committed the offences during their time in office.

The judge adjourned the case till October 27 for trial.