The
Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has
charged five directors in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to court for
allegedly stealing N655 million and $100,000.
The
officials were arraigned before an Abuja Federal High Court, Maitama, presided
over by Justice Baba Yusuf.
Those
charged include a former Director of Finance, Yusuf Agabi, Deputy Director of
Finance, Akpore Okeroghene and Director of Finance, Ayinla Abibu.
Others
are Deputy Director of Accounts, Idowu Adewale and another Deputy Director,
Accounts, Ntu Ngozi.
The
five senior officials are accused by the ICPC of stealing N655 million and
$100,00 from the ministry’s account, between December 2013 and December 2014.
The
commission, through its counsel, Paul Bassi, filed a 22-count charge against
Mr. Agabi, who is alleged to have defrauded the government of N458 million.
The
second accused person, Mr. Akpore, was arraigned on a 5-count charge of
fraudulently obtaining N33 million, while Mr. Ayinla is docked on a 10-count
charge of fraud totalling N147.5 million.
The
fourth and fifth accused persons, Mr. Adewale and Mrs. Ntu, were arraigned on
allegations of fraudulently obtaining the sums of $100, 000 and N19 million,
respectively from the ministry’s account.
All
offences contravene Section 13 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related
Offences Act 2000, and punishable under Section 68 of the same Act.
While
the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges, the court granted them
bail in the sum of N10 million each and on the condition that they produce
sureties who are not less than Deputy Directors in the Federal Civil Service
and resident in Abuja.
They
were ordered to submit their international passports to the court registrar as
part of the bail conditions.
The
case was adjourned to October 7 for continuation of trial.
- Premium Times
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