The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has
arraigned six employees of the Plateau State Civil Service over a N17
million scam before a State High Court sitting in Jos.
According
to a statement by the EFCC, Simon Dalom, alias Iliya Ezekiel, Luka A.
Dapel, Mary Charles Wakkias, Mary Alkali, Esther Gonung and Nanchin
Vivian Philibus were arraigned before Justice Yargata Nimpar of the
Plateau State High Court, Jos on a six count charge of criminal
conspiracy, forgery and theft.
"The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge." EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren said in the statement.
"Between
2009 and 2012, the suspects were alleged to have stolen the sum of
N17,444,509.90 (seventeen million four hundred forty four thousand five
hundred and nine naira, ninety kobo) from the Plateau State government
as salaries and allowances through an account opened by the first
accused Simon Dalom in the name of Iliya Ezekie, a non-existent
Commissioner of Planning.
"The first accused, an account officer
posted from the Ministry of Finance to the office of the Secretary to
the State Government to oversee payment of salaries of political office
holders, used his position to create a fake portfolio (Commissioner for
Planning) in the state executive council and opened a salary account for
the purported commissioner through which he siphoned state funds in
salaries and allowances."
Attempt by the defence counsel, Edwin S.
Mulan, to move an oral application for bail for his clients was opposed
by the prosecution counsel, who argued that the defendants should
present a formal application before the court.
"Justice Nimpar
adjourned the case to March 25, 2013 for hearing of the bail application
and ordered that the accused persons be remanded in prison custody,"
the statement said.
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