Anti-corruption war: Saraki’s cousin, former commissioner land in EFCC trouble
– The EFCC continues its fight against corruption, arraigns a man said to be Saraki’s cousin and a former commissioner for information in Kwara state
– Both men were accused of using their position to enrich themselves and launder the state’s funds for personal benefits
– They were first arraigned on May 13, 2015, and granted bail by the judge
Ope Saraki, a former special adviser to the Kwara state governor on Millennium Development Goals has been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Saraki, who is said to be the cousin of Senate President Bukola Saraki was arraigned yesterday, February 9, alongside Olatunji Oyeyemi Moronfoye, the immediate past Kwara state commissioner for Information for an alleged N371m scam, The Punch reports.
Moronfoye, Ope Saraki arraigned for alleged N371m scam
They were both arraigned before Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo of a Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin for offences bordering on abuse of office, diversion of public funds and money laundering.
This was contained in a statement by the EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren.
Moronfoye served as commissioner under Saraki when he was the governor of Kwara state while Ope served under Abdulfatah Ahmed, the current governor of the state.
READ ALSO: Mixed reactions trail Supreme Court’s verdict on Saraki
One of the charges read in part: “That you, Ope Saraki, being the Special Adviser on Millennium Development Goals to Governor of Kwara State sometime in 2012 at Ilorin within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did by undue interest conducted procurement fraud in the procurement of 13 units of ambulance for 13 General Specialists Hospitals in Kwara State at the sum of N171,990, 000, a contract awarded to Chemiroy Nigeria Limited and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 58 (4) (b) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007 and punishable under Section 58 (5) 0f the same Act.”
Moronfoye and Saraki pleaded not guilty to three and five counts preferred against them respectively.
In view of their plea, Joseph Uzor, counsel to the EFCC, urged the court for a date to commence trial.
Moronfoye and Saraki were first arraigned on May 13, 2015. Justice A. O. Faji had granted them bail in the sum of N50m (fifty million naira) and two sureties in like sum.
They had to re-enter their plea on Tuesday following the transfer of the former trial judge.
Meanwhile, Bukola Saraki is preparing for his trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), after the Supreme Court dismissed his appeal. The Supreme Court had on Friday, February 5, dismissed his appeal against the competence and constitution of the CCT to try him for a 13-count charge of false asset declaration.
Saraki is facing a 13-count charge of false assets declaration, which he allegedly made in 2003 as governor of Kwara state before the CCT.
The post Anti-corruption war: Saraki’s cousin, former commissioner land in EFCC trouble appeared first on Nigeria News today & Breaking news | Read on NAIJ.COM.