By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A former Caretaker Committee Chairman of Ethiope East LGA of Delta State, Mr Onoriede Sunday, has been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a three count charge of conspiracy, stealing and abuse of office.
Mr Sunday was brought before Justice A. O. Faji of the Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State on Thursday, December 15, 2016 alongside four others; Mr Akpesiri Erakpotorbor, Mr Ogbolu Fidelis, Mr Oyiborhoro Efe and Mr Onyemeni Frank Atube.
They were accused of conspiring to abuse their office and also alleged to have directly influenced the procurement process to enrich themselves to the tune of N14 million.
One of the count reads: That you, Onoriede Sunday, Onyemeni F. Atube, Fidelis Ogbolu, Erakpotobor A. Akposin, Udi Sunday and J. E. Atagana on or about August 2013 in Asaba, Delta State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did conspire amongst yourselves to Bid-Rig the implementation of subsidy reinvestment programme in Ethiope East Local Government Area and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 58(4) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007 Act and punishable under Section 58(5) of the same Act.”
However, the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them.
In view of their plea, the prosecution counsel, Sadiq Husseini asked the court to fix a date for trial and remand the accused persons in prison custody. But the prosecution counsel asked the court to admit the accused persons to bail as the alleged offence was bailable.
Justice Faji admitted the accused persons to bail in the sum of N100 million each, with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must have landed property within the jurisdiction of the court. The sureties are also present three years tax clearance certificate and deposit to an affidavit of means.
The accused persons are to submit their travelling documents including International passport to the court and are to report to the EFCC office, every first Friday of the month.
The defendants are to be remanded in prison custody pending the perfection of their bail terms.
