Former Inspector- General of Police, Mr. Sunday Ehindero and former
Commissioner of Police in charge of Budget under him, John Obaniyi, were
yesterday docked before an Abuja High Court over alleged fraud. They were arraigned by the Independent Corrupt
Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over a six count-charge
of criminal conspiracy and misappropriation of about N574.4 million Police fund
while in office. They pleaded not guilty.
The arraignment of the two accused persons
followed the dismissal of their preliminary objection to the charge.
Commissioner of Police in charge of Budget under him, John Obaniyi, were
yesterday docked before an Abuja High Court over alleged fraud. They were arraigned by the Independent Corrupt
Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over a six count-charge
of criminal conspiracy and misappropriation of about N574.4 million Police fund
while in office. They pleaded not guilty.
The arraignment of the two accused persons
followed the dismissal of their preliminary objection to the charge.
The duo had asked Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi to
strike out the amended charge for lack of jurisdiction, adding that it
constituted an abuse of court process.
strike out the amended charge for lack of jurisdiction, adding that it
constituted an abuse of court process.
Dismissing their objection, the court held that
there was sufficient evidence and prima facie to warrant granting the
prosecution leave to arraign the accused persons.
there was sufficient evidence and prima facie to warrant granting the
prosecution leave to arraign the accused persons.
Justice Oniyangi also said the court had the
jurisdiction to exercise that discretion.
jurisdiction to exercise that discretion.
After taking their plea, counsel to Ehindero, Chief
Mike Ozekhome (SAN), urged the court to grant his client bail on
self-recognition as a former Inspector-General of Police, a very senior member
of the Bar and a holder of the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR).
Mike Ozekhome (SAN), urged the court to grant his client bail on
self-recognition as a former Inspector-General of Police, a very senior member
of the Bar and a holder of the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR).
He promised that he will not jump bail, if
granted.
granted.
Obaniyi’s counsel, Abubakar Odariko, also asked
the court to admit his clienf to bail on self- recognition.
the court to admit his clienf to bail on self- recognition.
The prosecution did not oppose the application
for the bail of the accused persons but asked the court to impose conditions
that would ensure that they attend trial.
for the bail of the accused persons but asked the court to impose conditions
that would ensure that they attend trial.
Ruling, Justice Oniyangi admitted the accused
persons to N10 million bail each and a surety in like sum who must swear to an
affidavit of means.
persons to N10 million bail each and a surety in like sum who must swear to an
affidavit of means.
Before adjourning till November 12, for trial,
the court ordered that the accused persons be remanded in Kuje Prison, if they
failed to meet the bail condition.
the court ordered that the accused persons be remanded in Kuje Prison, if they
failed to meet the bail condition.
According to the charge, the accused allegedly
conspired with each other between May and November, 2006 to use their position
to confer corrupt advantages upon themselves by placing the sum of N300 million
in a fixed deposit account at Wema Bank Plc where it yielded an interest of
N9.8 million for them.
conspired with each other between May and November, 2006 to use their position
to confer corrupt advantages upon themselves by placing the sum of N300 million
in a fixed deposit account at Wema Bank Plc where it yielded an interest of
N9.8 million for them.
The money was part of the N557.9 million donated
by the Bayelsa State Government to the Nigeria Police Force for the procurement
of arms, ammunition and riot control equipment.
by the Bayelsa State Government to the Nigeria Police Force for the procurement
of arms, ammunition and riot control equipment.
They also allegedly placed another N200 million
from the donation in a fixed deposit account at the defunct Intercontinental Bank
Plc where it yielded N6.5 million.
from the donation in a fixed deposit account at the defunct Intercontinental Bank
Plc where it yielded N6.5 million.
The accused allegedly converted the interests
that accrued from the two fixed deposits to their personal use.
that accrued from the two fixed deposits to their personal use.
The alleged offences are contrary to Sections
19, 25(1)(a), 26(1)(c) and punishable under Sections 19 and 25(1)(b) of the
Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
19, 25(1)(a), 26(1)(c) and punishable under Sections 19 and 25(1)(b) of the
Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Ehindero was specifically accused of making
false statement to Olayinka Aiyegbayo, Jane Asuquo and Franklin that the sum of
N16, 412,315,06 interest generated from the deposits were expended on
operational duties.
false statement to Olayinka Aiyegbayo, Jane Asuquo and Franklin that the sum of
N16, 412,315,06 interest generated from the deposits were expended on
operational duties.
Credit: The Nation
