‎N2.8bn fraud: My statement was obtained under duress ― Ex NBC director

The former director of finance and account of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Patriçk Areh on Tuesday told the Federal High Court, Abuja that the statement he made on January 11, 2016 over the alleged N2.8 billion fraud was not voluntary.

Areh who made a two page statement and endorsed same before the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleged through his counsel, Ike Chube Frank, that he made the statement which admitted the transfer of N2.8 billion from the commission’s bank account with Zenith bank to Technology Advisor account.

Frank raised the allegation of duress just as the prosecution counsel, Ben Ikani applied to tender Areh’s statement through the 1st prosecution witness, John S. Ejim, an operative of the anti-graft agency.

The witness, Ejim had told the court that a petition written by one Oke Nwafor ignited the arrest of Emeka Mba, former NBC Director-General; Patrick Areh a former Director Finance and Account; Basil Udotai of Technology Advisors firm; and Babatunji Amure of Divine Partners.

He told the court that the defendants conspired among themselves and transferred the sum of N2,899,723,500.00 being the proceeds of sales of 700Mega head of spectrum, deposited at the commission’s Zenith bank account to Technology Advisor account.

The witness said the diverted sum was illegally paid to five sector boxes manufacturer under the digital switch-over platform.

The court admitted in evidence, a copy of the petition sent to Executive Chairman of the EFCC that was addressed to the President.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole said the court will conduct a trial within trial, on March 8, 2017 to ascertain the admissibility of the 2nd defendant’s confessional statement.

The four defendants are facing a 15-count charge, part of it reads, “That you  Emeka Mba (while being the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission); Patrick Areh (while being the Director Finance and Account of the National Broadcasting Commission); Basil Udotai (trading in the name and style of Technology advisor); and Babatunji Amure (trading on the name and style of Divine partners) on or about the 15th day of August 2015 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to commit an illegal act to wit “laundering the sum of N2,899,723,500.00 (two billion, eight hundred and ninety nine  million, seven hundred and twenty three thousand, five hundred naira) contrary to section 18 (a) of the money laundering prohibition act 2011 as amended and punishable under section 16(3) of the same Act”.