EFCC slams 4-count charge on pension boss

The vice chairman of the First Guaranty Pension Ltd, Nze Chidi Duru, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of harassment, as the commission filed a fresh four-count charge against him before Justice Peter Affem of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

The commission, prosecuting Duru on behalf of the Federal Government had, last year, withdrawn a four-count charge filed earlier against him before a High Court of Lagos State.

Justice Atinuke Ipaye, who the defendant was first arraigned before, struck out the criminal charge following an application for withdrawal by the EFCC.

“It is hereby ordered that the criminal charge in suit No: ID/2039C/2015 as disclosed on the information dated October 5, 2015 be and is hereby struck out without prejudice,” Justice Atinuke held in her ruling delivered in November, last year.

EFCC, on January 16, 2017 again, arraigned Duru before Justice Affem on a fresh four-count charge, wherein   he was alleged to have, in July 2010, been entrusted with certain properties worth N15 million, payment of 30 per cent equity shares of First Guaranty Pension Ltd sold to Novare Holdings Proprietor Ltd, committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said sum by diverting same to pay for land allocation from Lagos State government in favour of Grand Towers Plc and MVJJDA African Ltd, which he (Duru) had interest, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code Act Cap. 532 Lawa of the Federation.

He was accused in count two to have authorised the payment of N123,646.58 being part payment of 30 per cent equity shares of the company to First Bank Plc account of B. P Outsourcing Ltd.

EFCC also accused Duru of forgery and breaching Section 366 of the Penal Code Cap Act 532, which is punishable under Section 364 of the same Act.

But Duru’s counsel, Smart Amadi Iheazor accused the anti-graft agency of harassing and intimidating his client, pointing out that his client was brought to court to take his plea from hospital bed.

He said:  “The act of impunity and abuse of the constitution by the operatives of the EFCC and the police must be stopped.”

The counsel said he was looking at the option of suing the police for allegedly violating his fundamental right by illegally arresting and detaining him over armed robbery allegation.

Justice Affem has fixed February 27 to commence hearing in the preliminary objection filed by Duru through his counsel.