A business woman, Oluwabukunola Gadzama, has been arrainged before an Ikeja High Court over alleged N34 million theft.
Oluwabukunola was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) before Justice Ismail Ijelu on a two-count charge bordering on stealing and retention of proceeds of crime.
She pleaded not guilt to the charges.
EFCC prosecuting counsel Franklin Ofoma prayed the court for a trial date and an order for the remand of the defendant at the correctional facilities pending trial.
The defence counsel I.O Lala told the court that he has a pending application dated March 26, 2025 for bail for the defendant.
Lala stated that the defendant was ready to stand trial and that the offences for which she was charged were bailable.
The EFCC prosecuting counsel objected to defence’ application for bail.
She informed the court that the defendant is a flight risk and had jumped administrative bail given to her by the EFCC on November 20, 2024.
Justice Ijelu, in his ruling granted the defendant bail in the sum of N5million.
“In line with justice, I grant the defendant N5million bail, with two responsible sureties in like sum.
“One of the sureties must be relation and gainfully employed.
“The residence of the sureties shall be verified and must show evidence of tax payment to Lagos state Government for the last three years.
“The addresses of the defendant and sureties shall be verified and the Chief Registrar of the High court of Lagos State shall verify this.
“I remand the defendant at the correctional center pending the perfection of the bail application. “
Justice Ijelu adjourned the matter to April 15, 2025 for trial.
According to the EFCC:”Oluwabukunola Gadzama and Buildcon Global Services Limited sometimes within October 2021 and April 2022, in Lagos, with a dishonest intent, stole and converted for your own use the sum of N34.5million property of Adeyemi Joshua being the purchase price of a 300sqm land of Mak Court Estate, Lekki Lagos.
