An FCT High Court in Jabi, Abuja yesterday ordered the remand of four suspected military pension fraudsters in Kuje prison over their alleged complicity in stealing military pension funds to the tune of N339million.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleged that the suspects: Wing Commander Ishaka Yakubu, Lieutenant Commander Akinbamidele Odunsi, Abidemi Aderemi Kolade and Violet Ofoegbunam conspired to collect monies meant for payment of death benefits to deceased army officers, and converted same to personal use.
They were arraigned on a 6-count charge of conspiracy and stealing of pension funds to which they all pleaded not guilty.
In view of their plea, counsel to the EFCC, Steve Odiase, asked the court to fix a date for hearing and to remand the accused persons in custody pending trial.
Odiase invited the court to take note of the fact that, Yakubu and Odunsi had on several dates refused to come to court, “an attempt aimed at frustrating efforts to have them arraigned over the alleged offence”.
The trial judge, Justice D. Z. Senchi, while ordering the remand of the defendants adjourned to November 13, for hearing of their bail applications.
