3 INEC officials docked for alleged N179.8m fraud

macfranc007 July 31, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Naija news 24/7 Adeola Opeyemi

- 3 INEC officials have been docked for alleged fraud

- The EFCC alleged that the officials laundered the sum of N179.8million

- The case has been adjourned the case until Aug. 6, for hearing of the bail applications

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday arraigned three Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials in Ogun before a Federal High Court, Lagos, over alleged laundering of N179.8 million.

The EFCC arraigned Yemi Akinwonmi, Dickson Atiba and Ogunmodede Oladayo before Justice Sule Hassan on eight counts bordering on conspiracy, benefiting from crime proceeds, receiving cash sums without going through financial institutions and accepting cash exceeding amount authorised by the law.

They were accused of receiving the said money from various commercial banks sometime in March 2015, in the build-up to the year’s General Elections, The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

INEC officials docked. Photo source: Vanguard

The offences contravened the provisions of Sections 15(2)(d), 16 (d) 1(a), 16 (1) (d),16 (d) and 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 as amended. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

After their plea, the prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, urged the court to remand them in prison custody, and issue a trial date.

Justice Hassan consequently adjourned the case until Aug. 6, for hearing of the bail applications.

The court ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody pending hearing of their motion for bail.

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NAIJ.com earlier reported that INEC, on July 23, began a five-day training programme for its personnel ahead of the 2019 general elections.

The national commissioner of INEC, Muhammed Haruna, while declaring the workshop open, said the training was with the support of the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES).

Haruna said the training was meant to sharpen and enhance skills and capacity of the staff to be able to represent the commission effectively ahead of the task in 2019.

INEC official at Abuja court - NAIJ.com TV