N789.6 million subsidy fraud: EFCC files amended charge against three oil marketers
By Adetokunbo Fakeye
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, today(Wednesday) filed a 26-count amended charge against three oil marketers facing a N789.6 million subsidy fraud trial.
EFCC counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, confirmed this at the resumption of the trial of the marketers before Justice Lateefat Okunnu of the Ikeja High Court.
The marketers; Adamu Maula, George Ogbonna and Emmanuel Morah, according to EFCC release were being prosecuted alongside their firms – Downstream Energy Sources Ltd and Rocky Energy Ltd.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the marketers did not import the 10,862 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, for which they received subsidy payment from the Federal Government.
These marketers were earlier arraigned before the court on an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences, forgery, uttering and use of false documents.
At the proceedings, their counsel, Messrs Abubakar Shamsudeen and Eubena Ahmedu, informed the court that they were served with the amended charge only a few days ago and therefore, asked the court for a short adjournment to enable them study the content of the charge and give proper advice to their clients.
The matter was consequently adjourned till April 9, for continuation of trial.