Court Frees Gbenga Daniel

A state High Court sitting in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, has said that it cannot proceed with the trial of a former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, because the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission did not follow due process in the amendment of the initial charges brought against him.

The court, presided over by Justice Olanrewaju Mabekoje, in declaring Daniel a free man, said that instead of seeking the leave of the court in amending the charges, which were initially 15, the EFCC rather relied on the Ogun State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Wemimo Ogunde, SAN.

The judge held that the court cannot proceed with the trial of Daniel based on the new 43-count charge except the EFCC decides to file the case afresh and follow due process.

After the ruling, which lasted for about an hour, Daniel's lead counsel, Taiwo Osipitan, SAN, said that he was set to confront the EFCC again if the commission decides to file the charges afresh.

Osipitan reiterated the innocence of his client, saying justice had been done by the court.