A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has gave Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, June 14, 15, 23, 24, 28, and 29, to commence trial against two former directors of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, on charges of fraud and criminal misappropriation of about N4.6billion.
The defendants which included a former Coordinating Director of FIRS, Peter Hena, and a former Director of Finance, Mohammed Bello Auta, were arraigned before the court along with seven serving officers of the agency on 42 counts charges.
The rest of the defendants, who are still in service of FIRS are, Amina Sidi (Finance and Account department), Umar Aliyu Aduka (Internal Audit), Mbura Mustapha (Deputy Manager), Obi Okeke Malachy (Services Group), Obaje Napoleon Adofu (Head of Budget), Udo-Inyang Effiong Alfred (Officer II) and Benjamin Jiya (Assistant Director).
The EFCC alleged in parts of the charges that the officials, between 2017 and December 2018 in Abuja, conspired to conceal funds said to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
The commission said the some of the offences were contrary to section 18 and punishable under section 15(2) (a) and (3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 ( as amended by Act No. 1 of 2021)
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EFCC said in a statement by its spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, that the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecuting counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, subsequently asked the court for a date to commence trial.
However, the defendants through their counsel prayed the court to grant them bail.
Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu who presides over the matter granted them bail in the sum of N100m each and sureties in like sum.
The sureties, who must be Nigerians residing in Abuja with landed property within the jurisdiction of the court, are also to provide evidence of tax clearance.
Justice Ojukwu also ordered the defendants to deposit their travelling documents with the court and must obtain the court’s permission before travelling out of the country.
