BODE GEORGE DOCKED

man of the week HIGH PDP CHIEF OLABODE GEORGE

Former deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (South), Chief Olabode George, was on friday arraigned at the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, for his alleged role in a N100bn contract scam in the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). George, who served as the NPA chairman between 2001 and 2003, was arraigned before Justice Olubunmi Oyewole of the Lagos High Court alongside Aminu Dabo, Captain Abidoye, Abdullahi Aminu Tafida, Zainab Maideribe and R.S. Anah on a 163-count charge. George was brought to the court by EFCC operatives at exactly 2.45 p.m. in an ash-coloured Peugeot Expert with registration number BM 760 FKJ. There was apprehension at the court as the case was yet to be assigned to any judge by the chief justice who is said to be on vacation. It was eventually heard by Justice Oyewole. The charges were read to the accused who was represented by Barrister Seyi Sowemimo, while Rotimi Jacobs led the EFCC legal team. Meanwhile, chieftains of the PDP and supporters of Bode George went to the court as early as 9a.m. Among the PDP chieftains present at the court were Femi Lanlehin, Wahab Owokoniran, Tunde Salau, Aina Tugbobo and Muyiwa Collins. George had boasted last week, upon his return from an overseas trip, that nobody could arrest him and that he was not wanted by any anti-corruption agency.

NIGERIAN NEWS authoritatively gathered that the new wife of the retired naval officer, Roli Adeniyi, gave birth in the first week of July and George travelled to the UK to see mother and child. Just before his arrival, a statement signed by PDP national youth leader, Mr. Muyiwa Collins, had said that George was not on the run but was rather enjoying his deserved vacation. Roli Adeniyi, a former member of Pastor Okotie's Household of God Church, found solace in the arms of Bode George after she reportedly split up with Pastor Okotie.