N2.8M SCAM: BANKOLE FAMILY DISOWNS ACCUSED

By NBF News

LAGOS - The family of the former speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole, has said that one Toyin Bankole who is currently undergoing trial in an Abeokuta court for alleged visa-related offence is not a sibling of the former lawmaker.

In a statement by Mr. Ayo Bankole, younger brother of the former speaker, the family explained that Toyin Bankole is not a blood brother to Dimeji Bankole.

According to Ayo Bankole: 'the family had ignored newspaper reports initially, but  it has become necessary to make the clarification as the erroneous report persisted and was beginning to take a life of its own.  This unfortunate linkage has caused the family and the former Speaker a lot of embarrassment.'

He said: 'the misinformation has also spread through the internet and we have read with dismay the unfortunate comments by Nigerians both at home and in the Diaspora which was predicated on inaccurate information. While we have nothing against Toyin Bankole, it is very important that we set the records straight.'

There were a number of news reports in a section of the media which presented Toyin Bankole as the younger brother of the former Speaker, Dimeji Bankole.

It will be recalled that some time last month, Toyin Bankole was arraigned alongside one Segun Baruwa before a Chief Magistrate's Court in Abeokuta, for allegedly defrauding one Modinat Odunlami of N2.8 million. Both accused persons were alleged to have conspired to commit fraud by collecting money from Odunlami with false intent.