BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

LAGOS – Former Chief Medical Director of National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, Dr. Gbolahan Adebule, has been brought before a Lagos State High Court, Igbosere, following a two-count charge bordering on abuse of office and conferring undue advantages on a public officer.

The case was  filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, ICPC.

ICPC prosecutor, Mr. Femi Sarumi, told the court that the accused “Sometimes in November, 2005 or thereabout, in Lagos while being a public officer, Adebule (accused) did use his position as CMD of National Orthopaedic Hospital Igbobi, Lagos to confer undue advantage upon a public officer to wit; awarding a catering contract for opening ceremony for the 60th anniversary of the hospital in the sum of N2 million to Tysfad Catering Services, an unincorporated business outfit, belonging to Mrs. Funmilayo Adebule who was at that material time, a serving Nurse in the service of Lagos State University, Lagos.”

Sarumi informed the court that the accused, in November, 2005, also awarded another catering contract for the opening ceremony for the 60th anniversary of the hospital in the sum of N240, 000 to Tysfad Catering Services, an unincorporated business outfit, belonging to Mrs. Funmilayo Adebule, who was at that material time a serving nurse in the service of Lagos State University, Lagos.”

Adebule’s bail applied for by his lawyer, Mr. Bambo Adesanya, SAN, was not opposed by the prosecuting counsel.

However, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges read to him in the open court.

The trial judge, Justice Deborah Oluwayemi, adjourned the case till December 6, for further hearing.