EFCC closes case in ex-permanent secretary’s N14.1 million fraud trial

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has closed
its case in the trial of Clement Onubuogo, a former Permanent
Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment at an
Ikeja High Court, Lagos.

The EFCC closed its case during Wednesday’s proceedings
following the conclusion of the testimony of a fourth prosecution
witness.

Mr. Onubuogo is facing a three-count charge of stealing by
conversion of property derived directly from illegal act with the
aim of disguising the origin of the property.

According to the EFCC, the stolen funds which was N14.1 million
is the property of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety
Agency (NIMASA).

The anti-graft agency said Mr. Onubuogo, during his tenure, was
responsible for supervising numerous programmes such as the Subsidy
Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).

He was alleged to have awarded fictitious contracts to himself
via bank accounts belonging to his company and friends.

Theresa Braimah, the fourth prosecution witness and a retired
Director of the Productivity, Measurement and Labour Standard
Organisation, a department in the ministry, told the court in her
brief testimony that due process was not followed in the dispatch
of the alleged embezzled funds.

“I and the defendant are colleagues in the Ministry. There was
National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) meetings in 2013 and 2014
between the defendant and my department but none in the years 2015
as claimed by the defendant.

“My department did not receive funds that were allegedly paid
into a project account for a 2015 meeting.

“To my knowledge, if funds are given with due process, I will
know by virtue of my position because there ought to be
signatories,” she said.

While being cross-examined by Bolaji Ayorinde, Mr. Onubuogo’s
lawyer, the retired director reiterated the fact that she did not
receive money from the defendant during her employment at the
Ministry.

In an attempt to counter her testimony that she never received
money from Mr. Onubuogo, the lawyer confronted her with Exhibit DF3
which is a statement she made to the EFCC on May 4, 2016.

Responding, she said:“If NIMASA was to fund a meeting, a
proposal for the funding will come from my department.

“I did not collect funds to conduct any meeting.”

After Ms. Braimah’s testimony, Mr. Ayorinde told the court of
his intention to file a no-case submission instead of opening a
defence.

The judge, Oluwatoyin Taiwo, adjourned the case until April 25
for the adoption of written addresses and the hearing of the
no-case submission.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has closed
its case in the trial of Clement Onubuogo, a former Permanent
Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment at an
Ikeja High Court, Lagos.

The EFCC closed its case during Wednesday’s proceedings
following the conclusion of the testimony of a fourth prosecution
witness.

Mr. Onubuogo is facing a three-count charge of stealing by
conversion of property derived directly from illegal act with the
aim of disguising the origin of the property.

According to the EFCC, the stolen funds which was N14.1 million
is the property of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety
Agency (NIMASA).

The anti-graft agency said Mr. Onubuogo, during his tenure, was
responsible for supervising numerous programmes such as the Subsidy
Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).

He was alleged to have awarded fictitious contracts to himself
via bank accounts belonging to his company and friends.

Theresa Braimah, the fourth prosecution witness and a retired
Director of the Productivity, Measurement and Labour Standard
Organisation, a department in the ministry, told the court in her
brief testimony that due process was not followed in the dispatch
of the alleged embezzled funds.

“I and the defendant are colleagues in the Ministry. There was
National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) meetings in 2013 and 2014
between the defendant and my department but none in the years 2015
as claimed by the defendant.

“My department did not receive funds that were allegedly paid
into a project account for a 2015 meeting.

“To my knowledge, if funds are given with due process, I will
know by virtue of my position because there ought to be
signatories,” she said.

While being cross-examined by Bolaji Ayorinde, Mr. Onubuogo’s
lawyer, the retired director reiterated the fact that she did not
receive money from the defendant during her employment at the
Ministry.

In an attempt to counter her testimony that she never received
money from Mr. Onubuogo, the lawyer confronted her with Exhibit DF3
which is a statement she made to the EFCC on May 4, 2016.

Responding, she said:“If NIMASA was to fund a meeting, a
proposal for the funding will come from my department.

“I did not collect funds to conduct any meeting.”

After Ms. Braimah’s testimony, Mr. Ayorinde told the court of
his intention to file a no-case submission instead of opening a
defence.

The judge, Oluwatoyin Taiwo, adjourned the case until April 25
for the adoption of written addresses and the hearing of the
no-case submission.