The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Makurdi Zonal Office has arraigned the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Christopher Adaji and Clerk, Torese Agena, of the Benue State House of Assembly over fraud.
The duo was arraigned before Justice S. O. Itodo of the Benue State High Court sitting in Makurdi, for their complicity in an alleged fraud to the tune of N4, 840, 950.
They were arraigned on a 2-count charge bordering on conspiracy, bribe, criminal breach of trust and abuse of office which they pleaded not guilty to after it was read to them.
Counts one read, “That you, Torese Agena, on 18th day of October, 2019 being Clerk, Benue State House of Assembly, within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court, did used your position to confer unfair advantage to yourself as brbe, to the tune of N200, 000 (Two Hundred thousand naira only) from N50, 000, 000 (Fifty Million Naira) payable to High Profile Investment Nigeria Limited by the Benue State Government for the Benue State House of Assembly legislative tour to European countries, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under the same Act”.
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Count two states, “That you Christopher Adaji between 8th – 14 of November, 2019 within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court spent the sum of N4, 840, 950 (Four Million, Eight Hundred and Forty Thousand, Nine Hundred and Fifty Naira only) the funds allocated to you for European Legislative tour on your legal and other services and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(5) of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.”
Upon 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, Chief S. T. Hon (SAN), who prayed the Court to move their bail orally, urged the Court to grant them bail on liberal terms or on self-recognition that they would always be available in court to stand their trial.
Justice Itodo admitted them to bail on self-recognition and thereafter, adjourned the case till July 6, 7, and 8, 2020 for trial.
