3 INEC Officials Arraigned Over Alleged N179.8m Fraud

The Economic ad Financial Crimes Commissione (EFCC), today, arraigned three staff of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before a Federal High Court. Lagos, on alleged fraud of N179. 8 million.

The three accused who are from Ogun State INEC office are: Yemi Akinwonmi, Dickson Atiba and Ogunmodede Oladayo.

They were arraigned before Justice Sule Hassan led-court on an eight count-charge bordering on conspiracy, but befitting from proceeds of crime, receiving various cash sums without going through financial institutions and accepting various cash sums exceeding amount authorized by the law.

The three accused persons were said to have received the said money from Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), United Bank for Africa (UBA), Stanbic/IBTC, Diamond Bank Plc, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Skye Bank Plc and Diamond Bank Plc, sometimes in March 2015, during General Election

The offences according to the prosecution led by Rotimi Oyedepo are contrary to section 18 (a), 15(2)(d), 16 (d) 1(a), 16 (1) (d), and 16 (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 as Amended and punishable under 15 (3)(4) and 16 (2)(b)  of the same Act.

The accused however pleaded not pleaded to all the charges.

Followed their plea of not guilty, the prosecutor, Oyedepo, urged the court to remand them in prison custody, pending trial date.

But lawyers to the accused, asked the court for a very short date for hearing of their clients’ bail applications.

However, Justice Hassan, after listened to the submissions of both patties, adjourned the matter till August 6, for hearing of the accused bail applications.

In the proof of evidence before the court, among the prosecution witness to be called by the EFCC are: Deborah Oni and Usman Zakari, investigators with the EFCC, and representatives of the above-mentioned banks