FG workers arraigned for N1bn economic reform scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday arraigned two workers in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation for N1bn scam.

The accused ─ Mohammed Audu, aka Abdullahi Mohammed, and Yahaya Ayodeji ─ were arraigned before Justice Yusuf Halilu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory Jabi, Abuja, on 10 counts bordering on criminal conspiracy and complicity in award of contact.

The EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren said, “The duo abused their offices by floating companies through which they cornered contracts emanating from the Work Bank’s Economic Reform and Governance Project, domiciled in the office of the Accountant General of the Federation.”

The charges read in part, “That you, Mohammed Audu (aka Abdullahi Mohammed), and Yahaya Ayodeji, while employed in the public service, on the 5th of August 2011 at Abuja in the jurisdiction of this honourable court knowingly acquired a private interest through your company, AY-Quest Worldwide Limited, in a contract awarded for the procurement of GIFMIS training materials emanating from the Economic Reform and Governance Project, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation wherein you are both employed.”

The EFCC stated that the offence contravened Section 12 of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

The accused persons, however, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.

In view of their plea, the prosecution counsel, Cosmas Ugwu, asked the court for a date to commence trial.

The counsel for the accused, Abubakar Oderiku, made an oral application for bail citing the “chaotic epileptic power supply” and short notice from his clients as the reason for the application.

Justice Halilu ruled that the defence filed a formal application for bail, saying the matter was before a court of record.

He remanded the accused persons in the Kuje Prison.

The judge subsequently adjourned the matter till June 9, 2015.