Contract Scam: Civil Servant Forfeits N535m To FG
BY EDMOND ODOK – A Federal Civil Servant, Mr Titus Okunrinboye told a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday that he had to forfeit a whopping N535 million cash to the Federal Government following the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), investigation into his financial profile.
He also told the court that another sum of N20 million was refunded to government when his activities as a Special Pay Officer (SPO) in the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs were investigated by the anti-graft Commission.
Okunrinboye is appearing before Justice Inyang Ekwo to testify in the fraud charges brought against former presidential aspirant, Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN); his Personal Secretary, Mr Sampson Okpetu; and two companies, Samtee Essentials Limited and Pasco Investment Limited. They are all standing trial on 16 count charges.
The four defendants are being prosecuted by the EFCC for alleged fraud and mis-appropriation of N714.6 million when Turaki served as Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs.
The witness, when cross examined by Joe Gadzama, (SAN), lead counsel to Turaki, told the court that he floated four different companies, Pinnacle Energy Limited, BoyeTom Nigeria Limited, Everton Nigeria Limited and Overwhelming Pinnacle company to execute various contracts while still on the Federal Government’s payroll.
Okunrinboye admitted that his conduct was against the ethics of his profession and that of the Code of Conduct for public officers, adding that he had forfeit the N535 million cash when the anti-graft agency obtained a final forfeiture order from the court against him.
In an answer to a question thrown at him, Okunrinboye informed the court that he has not been charged to any court for any crime because the investigation into his activities by EFCC was still on going.
Asked another question, he said Turaki, then a Minister, did not instruct him to make any payment from the N359 million sensitization fund and that no kobo was paid into the ex-Minister’s account.
Similarly, Okunrinboye admitted buying a house at EFAB Estate in Abuja with illicit funds as well as acquiring a Toyota Camry car at about N4 million.
However, the witness debunked insinuations that the EFCC personnel, Belloji Adama, instigated him to testify against the former presidential aspirant as part of a deal to avoid prosecution by the anti-graft agency.
In his Evidence in Chief earlier, the witness told the court that N359 million was transferred into the Ministry’s account with Zenith Bank in 2015 for the purpose of sensitizing Islamic groups in the country to vote for former President Goodluck Jonathan .
He explained that the sensitization project was endorsed for Mr Abdullahi Tahir Bagudu, then Special Assistant on Islamic Affairs to President Jonathan and on whose memo the amount was approved.
He also told the court how of the N359 million, about N200 million was paid out through various companies and individuals without due process of financial regulations.
Responding to a question by Mr Ayo Ajibade, (SAN), lead counsel to the second defendant, Sampson Okpetu, the witness said money came into his private companies’ accounts even though he was not involved in sensitizing the different Islamic groups.
The trial is scheduled to continue on Wednesday, November 11, 2020 – With PrNigeria reports
