Military Officers In Alleged N239m Pension Scam Get Bail

BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – Justice D. Z. Senchi of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), High Court, sitting in Jabi, Abuja on Wednesday granted bail to the two military officers accused of complicity in stealing monies meant for payment of death benefits of deceased officers.

The suspects Ishaka Yakubu and Akinbamidele Odunsi were arraigned alongside two bank officials namely Abidemi Aderemi Kolade and Violet Ofoegbunam on a six-count count charge of conspiracy and stealing of pension funds to the tune of N339million.

Arraigned on November 9, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge following which the court ordered their remand in prison custody and adjourned to November 15 for ruling on their bail application.

In his ruling, Justice Senchi admitted each of the accused persons to bail in the sum of N1million each with two sureties in like sum, adding that each of the sureties must own a property worth N200million and must deposit original title of the property with the court.

The case has been adjourned to January 23, 2018 for hearing.