INEC drags 2 staff to court over N817.6m ‘fraud’

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday dragged two of its staff in Kwara, Christian Nwosu, and Tijani Nda Bashiru, before an Ilorin High Court.
The duo were taken to court over alleged criminal breach of trust in respect of N817.6 million entrusted to them in their capacity as public officers.
Tijani Nda Bashiru was also charged with criminal breach of trust in respect of total sum of N77 million, while Christian Nwosu was accused of misappropriating of N4.9 million.
The accused were said to have committed the offence between February 27, 2013 and 2015 and did that while in the employment of INEC, Ilorin contrary to and punishable under Sections 97, 315, 308, and 309 of the Penal Code.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.
While making oral application for bail, counsel to the defendants, Obinna Okereke and Nelson Imoh, prayed the court to grant the accused bail, saying that the offences with which they were charged are bailable.
The counsel, who also said that the defendants had been in the EFCC custody since February 7, 2018, added that they were rearrested in Lagos court.
Opposing the bail application, prosecution counsel said that the accused may obstruct course of investigation, considering evidence he had against them.
Justice Sikiru Oyinloye later granted each of the accused bail in the sum of N50 million, two sureties each in like sum.
He said that the bail could be revoked if the accused failed to adhere to terms upon which it was granted.
The court then ordered that the defendants be remanded in prison custody, pending when they would meet the bail conditions.
The matter was adjourned till 26 and 27 of April, 2018 for hearing.