Ex-IG Ehindero, former CP docked over alleged fraud

Former Inspector- General of Police, Mr. Sunday Ehindero and former Commissioner of Police in charge of Budget under him, John Obaniyi, were yesterday docked before an Abuja High Court over alleged fraud. They were arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over a six count-charge of criminal conspiracy and misappropriation of about N574.4 million Police fund while in office. They pleaded not guilty.
The arraignment of the two accused persons followed the dismissal of their preliminary objection to the charge.

The duo had asked Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi to strike out the amended charge for lack of jurisdiction, adding that it constituted an abuse of court process.

Dismissing their objection, the court held that there was sufficient evidence and prima facie to warrant granting the prosecution leave to arraign the accused persons.

Justice Oniyangi also said the court had the jurisdiction to exercise that discretion.

After taking their plea, counsel to Ehindero, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), urged the court to grant his client bail on self-recognition as a former Inspector-General of Police, a very senior member of the Bar and a holder of the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR).

He promised that he will not jump bail, if granted.

Obaniyi’s counsel, Abubakar Odariko, also asked the court to admit his clienf to bail on self- recognition.

The prosecution did not oppose the application for the bail of the accused persons but asked the court to impose conditions that would ensure that they attend trial.

Ruling, Justice Oniyangi admitted the accused persons to N10 million bail each and a surety in like sum who must swear to an affidavit of means.

Before adjourning till November 12, for trial, the court ordered that the accused persons be remanded in Kuje Prison, if they failed to meet the bail condition.

According to the charge, the accused allegedly conspired with each other between May and November, 2006 to use their position to confer corrupt advantages upon themselves by placing the sum of N300 million in a fixed deposit account at Wema Bank Plc where it yielded an interest of N9.8 million for them.

The money was part of the N557.9 million donated by the Bayelsa State Government to the Nigeria Police Force for the procurement of arms, ammunition and riot control equipment.

They also allegedly placed another N200 million from the donation in a fixed deposit account at the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc where it yielded N6.5 million.

The accused allegedly converted the interests that accrued from the two fixed deposits to their personal use.

The alleged offences are contrary to Sections 19, 25(1)(a), 26(1)(c) and punishable under Sections 19 and 25(1)(b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

Ehindero was specifically accused of making false statement to Olayinka Aiyegbayo, Jane Asuquo and Franklin that the sum of N16, 412,315,06 interest generated from the deposits were expended on operational duties.

 Credit: The Nation