Press Release
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, November
14, 2014 arraigned one Mrs Akon Esu-Nte (Alias Imaobong Akon Esu-Nte), an
accountant with the Nigeria Prison Service, before Justice Olukayode Adeniyi of
the FCT High Court, Apo, Abuja, on a 6-count charge bordering on fraud,
stealing and abuse of office.
Esu-Nte is alleged to have abused her office by stealing over N83
million of prisons funds with which she acquired exotic cars and different
properties across FCT while earning a monthly salary of N121, 460 as a level 14
officer.
Esu-Nte is also alleged to be a signatory to the accounts of three
companies which include, Abasiaga Global Resources Limited, Abasiono Nigeria
Limited and Ememima Global Ventures Limited which were all established after
she was posted from Ministry of Finance to Nigeria Prisons.
Esu-Nte pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to her.
One of the charges read: “That you, Akon Esu-Nte (Alias Imaobong Akon
Esu-Nte) being a public officer at the Nigeria Prison Service
headquarters, Abuja on or about the 9th day of October, 2013 in
Abuja within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital
Territory did use your office and position to confer corrupt and unfair
advantage on yourself and your associate, ID Integrated Petroleum Product
Limited to secure contract worth N27, 790,000.00 (twenty seven million, seven
hundred and ninety thousand naira only) for the supply of 2779 number prisoners
Aluminium Cooking Pots at Zones B and F of the Nigeria Prison Service and
thereby committed an offence punishable under section 19 of the Corrupt
Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.”
In view of the plea of the accused, counsel to the prosecution, Larrys
Aso Peters, asked the court to fix a date for trial and to remand the accused
in prison custody. However, counsel to the accused, S. I. Ameh, SAN, asked the
court to grant his client bail as the offence was bailable and that she will be
available to face her trial.
Justice Adeniyi granted the accused bail in the sum of N50 million and
two sureties who should be of the rank of director in a government
establishment. The sureties must be resident within the jurisdiction of the
court, and swear to affidavit of means.
The case was adjourned to 27 and 28 January, 2015 for trial.
Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
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