BY DAUD OLATUNJI

ABEOKUTA—The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, yesterday, tendered 25 evidences as exhibits against former governor of the state Otunba Gbenga Daniel on the alleged corruption allegation levelled again him, as his trial over corruption charges resumed.

Former governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel in court

The exhibits which comprised Certified True Copies of Certificates  of Occupancy of some buildings including Daniel’s residence, his father’s church and a hotel in Sagamu obtained from the State Bureau of Land on the alleged conversion of public property into personal use.

Daniel is facing a 38 -count charge on fraudulent conversion of land and diversion of public funds.

At the resumed proceeding, the trial Judge, Justice Olanrewaju Mabekoje admitted all the documents tendered by EFCC and marked them as exhibits.

The commission also called two witnesses from the Bureau of land who were crossed examined by both counsels to Daniel and EFCC, Professor Taiwo Osipintan SAN and Rotimi Jacobs  SAN respectively.

Counsel to EFCC,  Rotimi Jacobs had called a witness who is a Chief Deed Registrar in the ministry of land, Mariam Ademoye to confirm the documents he tendered before the court.

Ademoye, during cross examination, told the court that the commission had written her office in March 2012, demanding for some Certified True Copies of some registered documents in the custody of the ministry.

She also said the documents requested for were C of O of Daniel’s residence in Sagamu, his father’s church, Golf Place Resort, Blue Chapel among others.

When asked about some files allegedly missing in the ministry of land, the witness cleared Daniel of complicity in the missing files, saying the former governor was not a staff of the bureau and had no access to the documents.

Another witness, Deputy Director, Bureau of Land, Isaac Akogun during cross examination, said he was a schedule officer in Sagamu GRA when Daniel was a governor of the state.

He claimed his office was by-passed during the acquisition of lands on which Daniel ‘s mansion was built as well as his father’s church and hotel.

He also accused Daniel of taking over some lands that were not revoked by the government, adding that the former governor converted some plots of land that were designed for guest houses, access roads among others for personal use.

The judge however, adjourned the case till April 29 and May 30 for the continuation of trial.