Anxiety over arrest of Benue lawmakers for alleged N175m fraud
An associate of former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke and Chief Executive Officer, Atlantic Energy, Olajide Omokore and five others were yesterday granted N50 million each by an Abuja Federal High Court.
Ruling on their bail application, Justice Binta Nyako also requested each of the defendants to produce one surety each in like sum, who must either be a serving senior civil servant or own a landed property in Abuja.
The sureties, she added, must develop an affidavit of means and must deposit their international passports with the court registry.
Others that got the reprieve include Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited, Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept Limited, Victor Briggs, Abiye Membere and David Mbanefo.
They were arraigned yesterday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a nine-count charge bordering on money laundering.
When the charges were read out, the accused pleaded not guilty to all of them.
Subsequently, Justice Nyako fixed September 19, 2016 for trial after consideration of their bail pleas.
In a related development, members of the Benue State House of Assembly have gone into hiding following the arrest of their Speaker, Mr. Terkimbi Ikyange and other principal officers by the anti-graft agency over alleged misappropriation of N175 million meant for purchase of vehicles for members.
When The Guardian visited the complex yesterday, almost all the offices were shut while people were seen talking in hushed tones in the few that opened.
A worker confided in The Guardian that the legislators were on the run following the manhunt by the EFCC.
“Most of the lawmakers have not been coming to the Assembly premises for about two weeks now. I am sure you are aware of the arrest of the Speaker and some principal officers of the House. Maybe the members are afraid of also being picked by the EFCC,” the informant said.
Contacted, the Press Secretary to the Speaker, Bem Abunde while confirming the release of his boss on bail, however, declined further comments.
