The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has re-arraigned former Coordinating Director of Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, Peter Hena, and eight others over an alleged four billion naira fraud at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The others are Mohammed Auta, Director of Finance, Amina Sidi, Finance and Account Department, Umar Aliyu Aduka, Internal Audit, Mbura Mustapha, Deputy Manager, Obi Malachy, Services Group, Obaje Adofu, Head of Budget, Udo-Inyang Alfred, Officer II and Benjamin Jiya, Assistant Director.
Their re-arraignment was sequel to the transfer of the former trial judge, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu.
The defendants were docked on a 42- count charge bordering on corruption, fraud and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N4,558,160,676.9 (Four Billion, Five Hundred and Fifty-eight Million, One Hundred and Sixty Thousand, Six Hundred and Seventy Six Naira, Nine Kobo).
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They however pleaded ‘not guilty’ to all the count charges when it was read to them.
Subsequently, the new judge, Justice Toyin Adegoke permit the defendants to continue to enjoy the bail terms earlier offered them by Justice Ojukwu.
Justice Adegoke thereafter fixed September 28, 2021 for commencement of trial.
Justice Ojukwu had, upon their arraignment on Thursday, March 11, 2021, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N100 million each and sureties in like sum.
The sureties who must be Nigerian residing in Abuja with landed property within the jurisdiction of the court, are also to provide evidence of Tax Clearance.
She also ruled that the defendants are to deposit their travelling documents with the Court registrar and to seek the permission of the Court before travelling out of the country.
