The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Makurdi Zonal Office has arraigned Mr. George Alli, Chairman, Otukpo Local Government Area alongside three other officials of the Council.
The council officials were arraigned before Justice M. A. Ikpambese of the Benue State High Court sitting in Makurdi, for their complicity in an alleged fraud to the tune of N792,025,996.90.
The EFCC in a press statement signed by the Head of Public Affairs, Ayodele Babatunde, disclosed that Mr. Alli and his accomplices; Audu Mohammed, Director, General Service and Administration; Mr. John Umugba Ali, Treasurer and Morgan Ejoga, Cashier were arraigned on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and abuse of office.
The statement said they all pleaded not guilty to the allegations after it was read to them.
One of the counts reads:
“That you, Hon. George Alli, being the Executive Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Council Area of Benue State, Alh. Audu Mohammed, being Director, General Service and Administration, John Umugba Ali, being Treasurer and Morgan Ejoga, being Cashier Otukpo Local Government Council Area of Benue State between 2016 and 2018 being entrusted with the sum of N1, 600,000,000, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did conspire amongst yourselves to commit criminal breach of trust by dishonestly misappropriating the sum of N792, 025, 996.90 (Seven Hundred and Ninety Two Million, Twenty Five Thousand, Nine Hundred and Ninety Six Thousand Naira and Ninety Kobo) belonging to Otukpo Local Government Council and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 96 of the Penal Code Law (CAP) 124 (Revised Edition) Laws of Benue State 2004 and punishable under Section 313 of the same Law.”
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Upon hearing their plea, counsel to the EFCC, G. G. Chia-Yakua asked the court for a date to commence trial, and also sought an order of the court to remand the defendants in correctional centre.
However, counsel to the defendants, J. J. Usman, prayed the Court to grant the defendants bail on liberal terms.
He assured the court that they would always be available in court to stand their trial.
After hearing their prayers, Justice Ikpambese admitted each of the defendants to bail in the sum of N2million with one surety in like sum.
He insisted that the sureties who must show evidence of tax payment, and must be civil servants not below GL 15, must also deposit two recent passport photograph with the court.
