EFCC Arraigns 40 Suspects Over N4.5B Pension Scam

Source: huhuonline.com

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has re- arraigned Dr. Sani Teidi Shuaibu, a former Director, Pension Administration in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, and nine other accused persons. They were arraigned today,

 Monday 14 th November alongside 30 companies before a Federal High Court in Abuja in an amended 24-count charge over a N4.56 billion pension scam.

The EFCC had at the resumption of hearing of the case before Justice Adamu Bello of the FHC Abuja sought leave of the court to withdraw the earlier charge and replace it with a new 24 count charge which included names of companies used to perpetrate the fraud; a request which was granted.

Counsel to EFCC Emmanuel Egweabu from the Chambers of Godwin Obla, thereafter applied that the charges be read to the accused persons who were all present in court for their plea to be taken pursuant to section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Act.

Aside Shuaibu, among ten others arraigned today are Mrs. Phina Ukamaka Chidi Aliyu Bello was a Personal Assistant to Dr. Shuaibu. Other accused persons are Garba Abdullahi Tahir, Emmanuel Olanipekun, and Abdullahi Omeiza,

Others are Computer Plaza and Essential Gadget Ventures, Mobis Point Investment Ltd, Obista Enterprises, Shallow Well Ventures, Mof Investment Ltd, Zumba Resources, Pam Investment and Properties Ltd, Moshfad Enterprises, Newgate Projects Ltd, RedWings Energy Ltd, RedWing Procurement Services Ltd, Woodland Industries NIG Ltd. Others are Nwab Tessy O Enterprises Nigeria, Chris J. Junior Ventures, Uthaka Nigeria Ltd, Bashinta Nigeria ltd, Haleath Enterprises, Gozinda Enterprises, Omozua Ventures, S.S Badejo Enterprises, Lopee ventures, Fafama Oil and gas Ltd, Fafama estate Developer Ltd and Riba-Ile Petroleum.

After approving the prosecution's request, the 24 count charge was read to the accused who pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Prosecution Counsel then asked for a date for the commencement of trial.

Shuaibu and his co accused persons were admitted to the same bail condition they earlier enjoyed. The bail conditions include the provision of N10 million each, with surety in like sum, the sureties must have properties in Abuja; and such properties must be verified by the court, the value of the property should not be less than N10 million. Beside, the accused travel documents which are with the EFCC should be transferred to the court.

Justice Adamu Bello adjourned the matter to the 13th and 14th of February 2012 for the commencement of trial while directing that the bail of the accused persons continues while directing that  those newly added to the charge  should also fulfill the same conditions as Teidi Shuaibu and others.

Justice Adamu Bello had on Monday 9th May, 2011 ordered Dr. Sani Teidi Shuaibu, and four other  accused persons to be remanded in Kuje prison pending the fulfillment of bail conditions granted them.

Femi Babafemi
Head, Media & Publicity
EFCC
14/11/2011