Crime

N239m Military Pension thief: Court grants suspects bail

Published

9 years ago

November 17, 2017

Four accused persons standing trials in the stolen N239m military pension money, have been granted bail by Justice D. Z. Senchi of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, sitting in Jabi, Abuja on Wednesday.

Among the suspects granted bail are two military officers accused of complicity in stealing monies meant for payment of death benefits of deceased officers.

The two military officers (suspects) identified as Ishaka Yakubu and Akinbamidele Odunsi were arraigned alongside Abidemi Aderemi Kolade and Violet Ofoegbunam (both bank officials) on a 6-count count charge of conspiracy and stealing of pension funds to the tune of N339million.

ALSO SEE: $20.2bn missing from NNPC since 1999 – Falana

The offence breaches Section 315 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 LFN (Abuja) 1990, and punishable under the same Act.

They were first arraigned on the 9^th November, and pleaded not guilty to the charge following which the court ordered their remand in prison custody and adjourned to November 15 for ruling on their bail application.

In his ruling, Justice Senchi admitted each of the accused persons to bail in the sum of N1m each with two sureties in like sum. Each of the sureties must own property worth N200million and must deposit original title of the property with the court.

The case has been adjourned to January 23, 2018 for hearing.