Properties belonging to the ex-chairman of Ondo State Oil-Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Mr. Debo Ajimuda seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have been released by the anti-graft body.
Southwest Report learnt that the vehicles and other property were allegedly released to Ajimuda by the EFCC.
The properties, comprising about 13 exotic vehicles and some documents were seized by the anti-graft agency on March, 2012 and put in the custody of the State Police Command following an allegation of N540 million frauds against him.
Some of the flashy cars impounded are 2011 model Tundra with registration number, FY 195ABC, Mercedes Benz 500 with registration number DK 777FST, G.Wagon Benz.
When our correspondent visited the Police Headquarter along Igbatoro Road in Akure, the state capital, it was discovered that Ajimuda’s vehicles, which have been parked under trees very close to the entrance of the command, have been removed.
Police sources revealed that the command received a letter from the EFCC, ordering the police to release the seized vehicles in their custody to the ex-OSOPADEC boss.
It was alleged that Ajimuda was present at the Police Command when the vehicles were released to him.
When asked if the EFCC gave reasons for the release of the property despite the fact that there was a pending case against Ajimuda at the Federal High Court, the sources said they were not aware if the EFCC gave reasons for the release of the vehicles.
Ajimuda, who was arrested immediately after the seizure of his property by the EFCC, was later arraigned on June 2012 at the Akure Federal High Court with four others with 13 count-charges before they were released on bail.
Others arraigned with him were Man Omobayi Alli, Ikuomola Vincent Aghone, Mafolabomi Monday and Olayinka Olaitan Joseph.
Justice Gloria Okeke, now retired, however, granted the suspects bail in the sum of N1million each and sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till September, 2012.
Investigations revealed that the fraud charges against Ajimuda had been allegedly swept under the carpet.
When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Mr. Wole Ogodo confirmed the release of the vehicles in their custody.
Ogodo refused to speak further on the matter, saying he was not authorised to speak on behalf of the EFCC.
“They only kept the property in our custody. We only kept the vehicles safe and I have no information about why it was released. You can contact the EFCC on this matter. I have no information on this,” Ogodo said.
The ex-OSOPADEC boss did not pick phone calls by our correspondent as at the time of filing this report.
But, Wale Odusola, who is a member of Ajimuda’s legal team, gave another account of the story.
Odusola said the seized cars do not belong to the ex-OSOPADEC chairman, adding that eight of the flashy cars belonged to dealers who want Ajimuda to either help them to sell or buy them.
His words: “The day EFCC came, they removed five vehicles from Ajimuda’s compound and the remaining eight vehicles from the compound of his neighbour where they were parked. One Banjo Ayenakin and I are the counsels to Ajimuda.
”In the course of our duty as counsels, we were informed by our client that eight of the vehicles belonged to some dealers who wanted him to either buy the vehicles or help them sell to his friends who may desire to buy.
“Out of the five vehicles removed in Debo’s house, two actually belonged to his wife while the remaining three belonged to him. We invited about four of the dealers. Following their briefings, we filed an application on their behalf to the Federal High Court where the charge was pending, praying the court to release the eight vehicles whose ownership were not traced to Ajimuda but to the dealers.
We equally filed an application praying that Ajimuda’s name be struck out of the charge because there was no evidence linking him with the offence.
“Recently, we wrote a letter to the EFCC, appealing to them to release the vehicles because of wear and tear. The EFCC, in its wisdom, agreed to release the vehicles.
EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren refused to pick calls to him and did not reply text message sent to him by our correspondent.