Accounts
By Suleiman Shehu
Ibadan, April 9, 2018 (NAN) Mr Chinwendu Osita, an investigative officer with the EFCC, on Monday told an Oyo State High Court in Ibadan that a former Executive Director of the National Horticultural Research Institutes (NIHORT), Ibadan, Dr Ademola Idowu, and an accountant, Isiah Ajisafe, operated two illegal accounts.
Osita, who was led in evidence by the counsel to the EFCC, Mr Kayode Oni, said that the defendants operated the illegal accounts alongside the three accounts authorised for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
He said that the only three accounts authorised for MDAs were those of overhead, recurrent and capital.
The witness said that the defendants illegally operated the two accounts at Keystone and Skye Bank with the names, Vegetable Development and Producer Company and Horticultural Pest and Disease Company.
While being cross-examined by the defendants’ counsel, Mr Gbonajo Badejo (SAN), the witness said that what the commission investigated was the existence or otherwise of illegal accounts following an allegation.
Osita also said a case of diversion of public fund and stealing was also investigated.
“The Auditor-General of the Federation had already queried the defendants on the opening of the illegal accounts,’’ he said.
Justice Munta Abimbola adjourned the case till May 30 and May 31 for continuation of hearing.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Idowu and Ajisafe are facing a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy and fraudulently misappropriating N398 million through contracts splitting.
The defendants, however, had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges and were subsequently granted bail. (NAN)
SYS/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)