EFCC arraigns former Perm Sec over non declaration of assets

Clement Onuigbo, former Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Labour, was on Monday arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), over non declaration of assets.

The accused is standing trial on a three count charge bordering on a failure to declare his full asset.

The EFCC in a charge number FHC/L/1054C/17, alleged that the 59-year-old accused on April 16, 2016, failed to disclose the sum of N97 million in his account.

He was also alleged to have stored the sum of about 139, 000 dollars, and about 10, 000 Pounds in his account.

The EFCC prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, said that the offences contravened the provisions of sections 23 (3)(c) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004.

The accused however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following a bail application as moved by his counsel, Mr Tom Awana, the trial judge, Justice Babs Kuewumi admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N50 million with one surety in like sum.

The judge also ordered that the surety must submit his recent passport photograph, while the accused is to submit his international passport with the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar.

The judge however ordered that the accused be remanded at EFCC custody, pending the perfection of his bail conditions.

The matter has been adjourned the case to May 8 for trial.