N30m Fraud: Kaduna Deputy Speaker, Six Others Docked

According to a statement signed by EFCC's Ag. Head, Media & Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, The other six accused persons include Kabiru Tahir Malali (interim Chairman LereLocal Government), Ahmed Yahaya (former director, finance, Lere Local Government),Billy Graham Amos (former director, works, Lere Local Government), Yusha'u Aboki (former director, personnel management, Lere local Government), Mrs. Hannatu Iliya(Head of Health, Lere Local Government), and Eric Alhassan (former acting chairman,Lere Local Government).


Having pleaded not guilty to all the charges, Prosecution counsel, Sa'ad Hannafi Sa'ad requested the court to remanded the accused persons in prison custody and fix a date for the commencement of trial.

He specifically prayed the court to remand the 7th accused (Dr. Mato Dogara) in EFCC custody, as there is fresh petition against him that warrants further interrogation.

Responding to the prosecution’s submission, Habib Ahmed, who led a team of Defense counsel, told the court that they had filed applications for bail on behalf of their clients, and were ready to move the motion.
 
Their prayer was overruled by Justice Awokulehin who noted that the applications were not ripe for hearing, as the prosecution will also have to respond.

He directed that the six suspects be remanded in prison custody, while the deputy speaker is remanded in EFCC custody.
Dr. Mato Dogara had served as the Chairman of Lere Local Government Area and Commissioner in Kaduna State.
 
The matter has been adjourned to 24th, 28th and 29th January 2013 for trial




EFCC ARRESTS ALAKIJA’S AIDE OVER N3m FRAUD
 
In another develoment, an aide of  Mrs Folorunsho Alakija,  Chief Executive Officer, The Rose of Sharon, a
Non-Governmental Organization, Mr Vincent Ayewah  and six others have been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in a case of abuse of office, conspiracy, forgery, impersonation and stealing of N3million ( Three million naira only).

Their arrest was sequel to a petition by Alakija, alleging that Vincent, one of her employees, fraudulently misappropriated the funds meant for the beneficiaries of the foundation’s empowerment scheme. She alleged that he impersonated and stole various cheques and withdrew monies meant for orphans and widows in care of the Foundation.
 
 Vincent allegedly forged cheques of the Foundation’s Stanbic IBTC Bank Account and got one Miss Florence Ayewah and their friends to cash the forged cheques by presenting them with fake identity cards.
 
In the course of investigation it was discovered that Vincent used his position to enlist his family members as beneficiaries of the scheme. Specifically, the Foundation had been able to establish his mother who is a widow in a petty trade and was paying the school fees of his sister, Florence Ayewah who is a student of Lagos
City Polytechnic.
 
Vincent confessed that he fell for the scam due to his poor background and being the only bread winner of his family. He admitted that when cheques are ready for some beneficiaries of the Foundation, “I divert them and get my siblings and friends to cash at banks, I also arrange ID cards bearing the name on cheques with their faces on it for bank clearance”. Florence was arrested at a Stanbic IBTC bank in Lagos while trying to cash a forged cheque number 03378 in the sum of N97, 000 in favour of one Ms Olubunmi Juliana Ishola
 
Besides Vincent, six other members of the syndicate involved in the scam and who have also been arrested are:  George Ehizibolo, Onwuwa David, Okonkwo Chikadibia,Emmanuel Ayewah, Florence Ayewah and Chinyere Awanah

Vincent admitted to have at, various times, sent his younger sister,  Florence and her friend Chinyere and his younger brother Emmanuel to banks with fake identity cards. He also admitted to have acquired a Honda Accord car with registration
number: UA 845 AAA from the proceeds of the crime.The suspects will be arraigned in court soon.