by Azeez Adeniyi

Prof. Benjamin Ogunbodede, former Director of Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), has alleged that he gave N50 million to some committee members of the National Assembly on agriculture.

Ogunbodede is standing trial for alleged N177 million hazard allowance fraud.

Testifying before Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court Ibadan, Ogunbodede said some of the recipients of the bribe was one Mr. Makanjuola who was the house committee chairman on agriculture at that time.

He however refused to mention names of other members of the committee, Senate members and officials of the Ministry of Finance who received the N50 million gratifications.

Ogunbodede stated that the sum served as a thank you gesture to the NASS members and others who facilitated the quick release of N606 million, which was the school’s grant from the Federal Government.

“Makanjuola was one of the House of Representative members from the South-West on the committee who was paid the gratification,” the ex-director said.

He further confessed that the school did not actually raise fund from philanthropists contrary to his earlier testimony in court.

The judge later adjourned the matter till April 7 for continuation of trial.

Azeez