The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Wednesday, re-arraigned a former Coordinating Director, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Peter Hena and eight other officers of the agency before Justice Toyin Bolaji Adegoke of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The other FIRS officials arraigned before the court are Mohammed Bello Auta (Director of Finance), 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) .
Their re-arraignment followed the transfer of the former trail judge, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, outside Abuja jurisdiction.
The defendants were arraigned on a 42- count charge, following their alleged involvement on corruption, fraud and criminal misappropriation of N4.5billion.
Count one of the charge reads, “That you, Peter Hena, Mohammed Bello Auta, Amina Sidi, Umar Aliyu Aduka, Mbura, Mustapha, Obi Okeke Malachy, Obaje Napoleon Adofu, Udo-Inyang Effiong Alfred and Benjamin Jiya while being staff of the FIRS between January, 2017 and December 2018 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this court conspired together with the other officials of FIRS to conceal funds which are proceeds of unlawful activities to wit: Corruption, Fraud and Criminal Misappropriation of Funds.”
According to the prosecuting EFCC, the offence is 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).
But when the charge was read to the defendants, they pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the criminal offence.
Justice Bolaji later granted bail to the defendants on the terms earlier offered them by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu and adjourned the matter till September 28 for trial.
Justice Ojukwu had upon their arraignment on Thursday, March 11, 2021, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N100m each and sureties in like sum. The judge added that the sureties must be Nigerians residing in Abuja with landed property within the jurisdiction of the court, saying that the sureties must provide evidence of Tax Clearance.
She further directed the defendants to deposit their travelling documents with the court and seek the permission of the court before travelling out of the country.
