EFCC arraigns Edo deputy governor’s brother for fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has arraigned Joseph Odubu and his company, Even Handed Services Limited in a Federal High Court, Benin.

A statement by Mr Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC spokesman made this known in a statement to newsmen in Abuja on Monday.

Uwujaren Odubu was arraigned on a three-count charge bordering forgery, uttering and obtaining money by false presence to the tune of N9, 36 million

The EFCC´s spokesman said Odubu, a brother to the Deputy Governor of Edo, Mr Pius Odubu, is also the Managing Director of Even Handed Services Limited.

He said the accused used forged documents to obtain a loan facility of N9,36 million on Sept. 5, 2014, from a first generation bank to facilitate the supply of chairs and desks in Edo State.

He added that Odubu also with intent to defraud and to facilitate fraud, forged a document which he claimed was received by Edo State Oil and Gas Producing-Areas Development Commission.

Uwujaren said the offence contravened section 1(2)(c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17 of the Revised Edition Act, 2007 and punishable under section 1(2) of the same Act.

Odubu pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Prosecuting counsel, C. A. Okoli, applied for the date of commencement of trial and that the accused be remanded in prison.

Odubu’ counsel, Osama Idehen, applied his client’s bail and the court refused it, remanded the accused in prison and adjourned the case till Nov. 22.m