‘N4.5bn Fraud’: EFCC Re-Arraigns FIRS Directors

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has
re-arraigned three directors and some other officials of the
Federal Inland Revenue Service, (FIRS) over allegations of N4.5
billion fraud.

The officials are Peter Hena, a former Coordinating Director;
Mohammed Bello Auta (Director of Finance) and Amina Sidi (Finance
and Account Department).

Others are Umar Aliyu Aduka (Internal Audit), Mbura Mustapha
(Deputy Manager), Obi Okeke Malachy (Services Group), Obaje
Napoleon Adofu (Head of Budget), Udo-Inyang Effiong Alfred (Officer
II) and Benjamin Jiya (Assistant Director).

EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, who disclosed this, said their
re-arraignment followed the transfer of the former trial judge,
Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu.

They were arraigned before Justice Toyin Bolaji Adegoke of the
Federal High Court, Abuja.

The defendants were docked on a 42-count charge bordering on
corruption, fraud and criminal misappropriation of funds.

Count one of the charge read, “That you, Peter Hena, Mohammed
Bello Auta, Amina Sidi, Umar Aliyu Aduka, Mbura, Mustapha, Obi
Okeke Malachy, Obaje Napoleon Adofu, Udo-Inyang Effiong Alfred and
Benjamin Jiya while being staff of the Federal Inland Revenue
Services (FIRS) between January, 2017 and December 2018 in Abuja
within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired together
with the other officials of FIRS to conceal funds which are
proceeds of unlawful activities to wit: Corruption, Fraud and
Criminal Misappropriation of Funds and you thereby committed an
offence contrary to section 18 and punishable under section 15(2)
(a) and (3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 ( as
amended by Act No. 1 of 2021).”

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Justice Bolaji granted them bail on the terms earlier offered
them by Justice Ojukwu, and fixed September 28, 2021 for
commencement of trial.

Justice Ojukwu had, upon their arraignment on Thursday, March
11, 2021, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N100m each and
sureties in like sum.

The sureties who must be Nigerian residing in Abuja with landed
property within the jurisdiction of the court, are also to provide
evidence of Tax Clearance.

She also asked the defendants to deposit their travelling
documents with the court and seek the permission before travelling
out of the country.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has
re-arraigned three directors and some other officials of the
Federal Inland Revenue Service, (FIRS) over allegations of N4.5
billion fraud.

The officials are Peter Hena, a former Coordinating Director;
Mohammed Bello Auta (Director of Finance) and Amina Sidi (Finance
and Account Department).

Others are Umar Aliyu Aduka (Internal Audit), Mbura Mustapha
(Deputy Manager), Obi Okeke Malachy (Services Group), Obaje
Napoleon Adofu (Head of Budget), Udo-Inyang Effiong Alfred (Officer
II) and Benjamin Jiya (Assistant Director).

EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, who disclosed this, said their
re-arraignment followed the transfer of the former trial judge,
Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu.

They were arraigned before Justice Toyin Bolaji Adegoke of the
Federal High Court, Abuja.

The defendants were docked on a 42-count charge bordering on
corruption, fraud and criminal misappropriation of funds.

Count one of the charge read, “That you, Peter Hena, Mohammed
Bello Auta, Amina Sidi, Umar Aliyu Aduka, Mbura, Mustapha, Obi
Okeke Malachy, Obaje Napoleon Adofu, Udo-Inyang Effiong Alfred and
Benjamin Jiya while being staff of the Federal Inland Revenue
Services (FIRS) between January, 2017 and December 2018 in Abuja
within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired together
with the other officials of FIRS to conceal funds which are
proceeds of unlawful activities to wit: Corruption, Fraud and
Criminal Misappropriation of Funds and you thereby committed an
offence contrary to section 18 and punishable under section 15(2)
(a) and (3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 ( as
amended by Act No. 1 of 2021).”

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Justice Bolaji granted them bail on the terms earlier offered
them by Justice Ojukwu, and fixed September 28, 2021 for
commencement of trial.

Justice Ojukwu had, upon their arraignment on Thursday, March
11, 2021, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N100m each and
sureties in like sum.

The sureties who must be Nigerian residing in Abuja with landed
property within the jurisdiction of the court, are also to provide
evidence of Tax Clearance.

She also asked the defendants to deposit their travelling
documents with the court and seek the permission before travelling
out of the country.