BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI, ABUJA – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Former Coordinating Director of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Peter Hena, and eight other officers of the Service before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
They were docked on Thursday, March 11, 2021 on a 42-count charge of corruption, fraud and criminal misappropriation of funds to the turn 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).
Among those charged with Hena are: Mohammed Bello Auta (Director of Finance); Amina Sidi (Finance and Account Department); Umar Aliyu Aduka (Internal Audit); and Mbura Mustapha (Deputy Manager).
Others include: Obi Okeke Malachy (Services Group); Obaje Napoleon Adofu (Head of Budget); Udo-Inyang Effiong Alfred (Officer II); and Benjamin Jiya (Assistant Director).
A statement by the EFCC said 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 Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) between January, 2017 and December 2018 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired together with the other officials of FIRS to conceal funds which are proceeds of an unlawful activities to wit: Corruption, Fraud and Criminal Misappropriation of Funds and you thereby committed an offence 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)”
However, all the defendants pleaded ‘not guilty’. And in view of their plea, prosecuting counsel, Ekele Iheanacho requested the Court to set a date for the trial to commence.
On his part, Counsel for the defendants prayed the court to grant them bail.
In her ruling, Justice Ojukwu granted them bail in the sum of N100m each and sureties in like sum.
The EFCC’s statement signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren said the sureties, who must be Nigerian residing in Abuja with landed property within the jurisdiction of the court, are also to provide evidence of their Tax Clearance.
The judge also ruled that defendants should deposit their travelling documents with the Court and seek its permission before travelling out of the country.
The matter has been adjourned till June 14, 15, 23, 24, 28, 29, 2021 for commencement and continuation of the trial.
