Yakubu Busari
Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos has slammed 16 count charges of money laundering and embezzlement of N646 .6 million naira on the provost Federal School of Medical Laboratory Technology, Jos and four others.
In their submission the EFCC lead counsel, Bar. Samuel Okeleke said the five persons were accused of misappropriation of funds meant for building, supply of office equipment and staffs training outside the country.
They were fingered in using fake documents to obtain the money from Central Bank of Nigeria under pretense of the development of permanent site facilitating progress with the school premises .
The provost Dr Etukudoh Sunday, the accountant Mr Yusufu Samuel Ernest Ndemtur, the contractor Sio Ubok and the two contractors were responsible for the conspiracy, felony, misappropriation and frauds related cases against the government federal republic of Nigeria.
Honourable Justice Yakubu Dakwak of the high court No 2 on 16 presented their individuals count charges before the day sitting which was read to them verbally but they all refused to admit the judge charges.
The Economic and Financial Crime commission, EFCC, prosecuting counsel Barrister Samuel Okeleke said the five persons have conspired to dumped federal republic of Nigeria through central bank of Nigeria (CBN) transactions into access bank, first Bank and UBA using the contractors and overseas fake trips to Ethiopia and study in USA .
The provost Dr Etukudoh Sunday after hearing all offense / charges from the judge pleaded not guilty of all alleged 16 count charges of money laundering.
The court said they have of defraud government of 40 million which money was sent through access bank and the transactions was done by central Bank for the construction of hostels for students dated 16 may ,2005 which is punishable under section 1 sub -section 1&3 of the criminal code .
The second charges was the purchasing of 32 seaters bus for 20.39 million naira with account 0200271810 with the advance deposit being paid on the 4th Sept, 2007/2008 access bank 4.9 million contrary to section 8 corruption act .
The counsel to EFCC urged the accused persons to charge of their offenses committed saying which we shall apply for date to bring witnesses to come and testify.
However, Justice Yakubu Dakwak has adjourned the matter to 27th July,2016 for hearing .
