EFCC arraigns LG chairman, three others in Court over alleged N792m fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Makurdi zonal office has arraigned chairman of Otukpo local government area of Benue State, George Ali and three other top council officials in the State High Court over an alleged fraud of N792,025,996.90.

George Ali was arraigned alongside the Director-General Service and Administration, Mohammed Audu, Treasurer John Ali and Cashier, Morgan Ejoga all of Otukpo local government area.

The commission said Ali and the other three top council government officials were arraigned on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy criminal breach of trust and abuse of office.

According to the charges, “that you George Ali, the chairman, Audu Mohammed, Director General Service and Administration, John Ali, Treasurer and Morgan Ejoga cashier, all of Otukpo local government area between 2016 and 2018 being entrusted with the sum of N1.6 billion within the jurisdiction of the court and did conspire amongst yourselves to commit criminal breach trust by dishonestly misappropriated the sum of N792,025,996.90 belonging to Otukpo local government and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 96 of the penal code law 124 (Revised Edition) laws of Benue State 2004 and punishable under section 13 of the same law.”

ALSO READ: Post-COVID-19: Ogun Assembly approves Abiodun’s N250bn loan

The suspects, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The EFCC counsel, Chia Yakubu asked the court for a date to commence trial and also sought an order to remand the defendants in correctional centre.

But the counsel to the defendants, J J Usman prayed to grant the defendants bail on liberal terms and assured court that they will always be in court to stand their trial.

The presiding judge, M.A. Ikpambese granted the defendants bail in the sum of N2m each and adjourned the case till June 23, 2020, for the commencement of trial.

COVID-19: Senator Ndume Advocates Part-Time Status For Lawmakers, Reduction In Salary
Senator representing Borno south and Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Ali Ndume, has advocated part-time status for lawmakers in the country due to the dwindling effect of COVID-19. In a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday, the lawmaker who sought for the office of Senate President last… Read full story

N2.2bn Land Scam: Deposed Emir Sanusi Appeals Judgment
The deposed Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II, on Wednesday, appealed a judgment delivered by a Federal High Court dismissing his right of fair hearing against the Kano state Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission. Counsels to the emir, Messrs Dikko and Mahmoud, filed the appeal on Wednesday… Read full story

Orange Juice Excellent For Tooth Disorders, Heart Diseases —Experts
THE orange contains a variety of health-promoting properties. The fruit is a rich source of protective food ingredients like vitamin A, B, C and calcium. Recent studies have proven its superiority to any other fruit as a source of calcium. The orange also contains sodium, potassium, magnesium, copper, sulphur and chlorine… Read full story

EDITORIAL: The Story Of Majek Fashek
BY the time he died on June 1, aged 57, Majekodunmi Faseke, or simply Majek Fashek to his distraught fans all over the world, had lived his life to full circle. Of course, he was not an old man, but he had arguably seen it all. From the low, deprived, humble beginnings of childhood and the boisterous struggling years of adolescence to the peak of prominence and global fame, then back to the ebb of existence, Majek Fashek had seen it all. Not many older persons could claim to have fumbled and tumbled through life than the man fondly referred to as the Rainmaker… Read full story

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE