It is likely that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released the 13 vehicles it seized from the former Chairman, Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Mr. Debo Ajimuda, as the vehicles are no longer in the custody of the police, where they had been since 2012. Ajimuda was alleged to have acquired the 13 vehicles while serving as the OSOPADEC chairman in 2012. As stated by reports, the vehicles were seized in March 2012 and put in the custody of the Ondo State Police Command by the anti-graft agency.
The vehicles were impounded following an allegation that Ajimuda had corruptly enriched himself to the tune of N540 million in the course of his headship of OSOPADEC.
Following the seizure, the vehicles were parked under trees at the Police headquarters at Alagbaka area, Akure, but when newsmen visited the Police command, the cars could not be found.
Based on what was gathered, the Ondo State Police Command received a letter from the EFCC to release the vehicles.
When asked if the EFCC gave reasons for the release of the vehicles despite the pending case against Ajimuda at the Federal Court of Appeal, a source said he was not aware if the EFCC gave reasons for the release of the vehicles.
Ajimuda was arrested and arraigned by EFCC in June 2012 at an Akure Federal High Court with four others on a 13-count charge.
Others arraigned with him are Omobayi Alli, Ikuomola Vincent Aghone, Mafolabomi Monday and Olayinka Olaitan Joseph. Justice Gloria Okeke, who is now retired, however granted the suspects bail in the sum of N1million each and sureties in like sum.
When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Office (PPRO) Mr. Wole Ogodo confirmed the release of the vehicles to the EFCC.
“I can’t say if the vehicles were released to Ajimuda. The EFCC brought a letter that we should release the vehicles they kept in our custody to them, and that we did,” Ogodo hinted.