The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) arraigned Abubakar Sambo, the Director of Finance and Account at the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), on Monday for alleged fraud amounting to N1.84 billion. The arraignment took place before Justice Bolaji Olajuwon at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Charges and Plea
Sambo
faced a three-count charge for allegedly diverting REA funds into personal
accounts. He pleaded not guilty, prompting ICPC counsel Osuobeni Akponimisingha
to request a trial date. Sambo’s lawyer, Isiaka Dikko, SAN, had already filed a
bail application, which the court granted.
Bail Conditions
Justice
Olajuwon granted Sambo bail at N200 million with two sureties of the same
amount. The sureties must own landed property within the court's jurisdiction
and provide original Certificates of Occupancy. They must also submit
affidavits of tax clearance for the past three years and one passport
photograph each. The trial is set to commence on October 17.
Details of the Allegations
The
ICPC's charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/209/2024, accuses Sambo of finalizing payments
totaling N1.84 billion through the Government Integrated Financial Management
Information System (GIFMIS) platform for purported project supervision without
requisite approval. This allegedly contributed to the REA's financial
difficulties.
Specific Charges
1.
Count One:
Sambo is accused of making unauthorized payments for the use of Henrrientta
Onomen Okojie, Asuni Adejoke Aminat, Usman Kwakwa, Laure Shehu Abduilahi,
Emmanuel Pada Titus, and Musa Umar Karaye. This violates Section 68 of the
Public Enterprise Regulatory Commission Act, CAP. P39, Laws of the Federation,
2004.
2.
Count Two:
He allegedly used his access password to finalize unauthorized payments,
breaching Section 6(4) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act,
2015.
3.
Count Three:
Sambo is charged with conferring corrupt advantages on the aforementioned
individuals, violating Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related
Offences Act, 2000.
Related Proceedings
Justice
Emeka Nwite of a sister court had earlier ordered the remand of Karaye, Titus,
and Okojie, who were arraigned on separate charges related to the same scheme.
They have since been granted N50 million bail each, with similar conditions
regarding sureties and affidavits.
Conclusion
The ICPC continues its crackdown on corruption within the REA, with trials set to proceed for all involved parties. The court will reconvene on July 10 for further hearings in related cases.
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