EFCC Arraigns Ex-Works Ministry Director and Surveyor Over N1.9bn Fraud

Wale WhalesNews9 months ago

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday, arraigned a former Deputy Director, Highways, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Augustine Olowoniyan, alongside a surveyor, Sulaiman Muhammed of the Department of Highways and Planning before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Apo, Abuja. They were arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on alleged diversion and misappropriation of public funds amounting to N1,936,961,649.00.

A statement by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said the alleged offence is contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
He said the funds were reportedly earmarked for the acquisition of titles for federal roads nationwide between March 4, 2019, and July 17, 2020, but were allegedly converted to their personal use.

According to EFCC prosecutors, the accused individuals allegedly diverted public funds through fraudulent contract awards, ghost projects, and inflated invoices. Investigations revealed that the money, which was allocated for road construction and maintenance, was instead funneled into private accounts.

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Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Their legal teams argued that the prosecution had yet to provide sufficient evidence to prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt. However, the EFCC insists that its investigation uncovered a complex web of financial irregularities and collusion among officials in the Works Ministry.

The case has drawn public attention due to the persistent issues of corruption in Nigeria’s public sector. Anti-corruption activists have called on the judiciary to ensure a thorough trial and hold those responsible accountable if found guilty. The court has scheduled further hearings, with the defendants currently out on bail under strict conditions.

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