The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Makurdi Zonal Office has arraigned two suspects, Joseph Kyumeh and Augustine Omaji before Justice Ikpambese of the Benue State High Court sitting in Makurdi.
They are being arraigned on a 7-count charge including criminal conspiracy, forgery, money laundering, abuse of office and theft to the tune of N11, 000 000, 00 (Eleven Million Naira).
One of the count reads: “That you, Joseph Kyumeh and Augustine Ada Omaji sometime in March 2019, in Makurdi within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court agreed to dishonestly and fraudulently make and sign a report of internal auditor on the account of Nigerian Union of pensioners, Benue State Branch for the period between 30th December 2013 and 31st December 2017, with the intention of causing it to be believed that the report was made by Auditors for Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Benue State Chapter Makurdi and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 96 of the Penal Code (CAP) 124 Law of Benue State, and punishable under section 97 of the same Law”.
They pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.
Based on their plea, prosecuting counsel, Mary Onoja requested for a trial date, and asked the Court to remand them in a correctional centre.
But counsel to defendants, E. I. Laren who was ready with a motion for bail urged the Court to grant them bail on most liberal terms.
Justice Ikpambese granted bail to each defendants in the sum of One Million Naira with one surety in like sum.
The surety must be resident and have a landed property within the jurisdiction of the Court and must show evidence of such, or be a civil servant not below Grade Level 12 who must deposit one passport photograph with the Court.
