The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday re-arraigned two ex-directors and top officials of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) on allegations of fraud.
Peter Hena, former Coordinating Director of Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS and eight other officers of the agency were re-arraigned at the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
The others were listed by the EFCC as Mohammed Bello Auta (Director of Finance), Amina Sidi (Finance and Account Department), Umar Aliyu Aduka (Internal Audit), Mbura Mustapha (Deputy Manager), Obi Okeke Malachy (Services Group), Obaje Napoleon Adofu (Head of Budget), Udo-Inyang Effiong Alfred (Officer II) and Benjamin Jiya (Assistant Director)
Justice Bolaji Olajuwon, who presided over the case, adjourned the matter to September 28 for trial. The matter which was previously before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, who was transferred to the Calabar Division of the court will start afresh before Justice Olajuwon.
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The EFCC arraigned the defendants on a 42-count charge bordering on corruption, fraud and criminal misappropriation of funds to the tune of N4,558,160,676.9.
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 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, the defendants pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.
Justice Bolaji granted the defendants bail on the terms earlier offered them by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu upon their arraignment on Thursday, March 11, 2021. Ojukwu had granted the defendants bail in the sum of N100m each and sureties in like sum.
In a statement on Wednesday FIRS said the issue in court has no link to the present management, since it occurred between 2017 and 2018.
The Director of Communications and Liaison Department, Abdullahi Ahmad, said this in a statement titled ‘Ongoing EFCC fraud case predates Nami’s appointment, says FIRS.’
The statement read, “The public may recall that the alleged violation being tried in the court took place between January 2017 and December 2018.
“The case concerns Duty Tour Allowances approved by the former management for travels that were allegedly not undertaken.
“However, on the assumption of office by the new management, the Board of the Service promptly directed it to take the matter before the Staff and Management Disciplinary Committee for necessary disciplinary processes to be activated to deal with the situation.
“In line with this directive, the Human Capital Management Department of the FIRS subsequently investigated the matter and thereafter issued queries to the concerned members of staff to give the serving officers a fair hearing.
“The FIRS, therefore, assured taxpayers and stakeholders of its capacity to deal with internal issues.”
Ifunanya Ikueze is an Engineer, Safety Professional, Writer, Investor, Entrepreneur and Educator.
