The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned the duo of David Nwachukwu and Frank Okeke alongside two companies, Haulage Oil and Gas Limited and Franviok Limited, before Justice R.I.B. Adebiyi of the High Court of Lagos State, Igbosere on a 14-count charge bordering on conspiracy to steal, stealing and fraudulent diversion of funds.

The accused persons are alleged to have failed to remit rentals of over N2 billion to the petitioner, Lecon Financial Services Limited.

One of the counts reads: “David Nwachukwu, Frank Okeke, Haulage Oil and Gas Limited and Franviok Limited sometime between January, 2013 and December, 2013 in Lagos within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with a dishonest intent converted to your own use the sum of N197,776,420 (One Hundred and Ninety Seven Million, Seven Hundred and Seventy Six Thousand, Four Hundred and Twenty Naira) which sum forms part of rentals accrued to LEASING COMPANY OF NIGERIA LTD (Now LECON FINANCIAL SERVICES LTD) from the use of their trucks to provide haulage services for Eterna Oil Plc”

According to another count, “David Nwachukwu, Frank Okeke, Haulage Oil and Gas Limited and Franviok Limited sometime between January, 2014 and September, 2014 in Lagos within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with a dishonest intent converted to your own use the sum of N158,721,830 (One Hundred and Fifty Eight Million, Seven Hundred and Twenty One Thousand, Eight Hundred and Thirty Naira) which sum forms part of rentals accrued to LEASING COMPANY OF NIGERIA LTD (Now LECON FINANCIAL SERVICES LTD) from the use of their trucks to provide haulage services for LAFARGE CEMENT WAPCO NIGERIA PLC.”

When the charges were read to the accused persons, they pleaded not guilty.

In view of their plea, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, asked for a trial date and prayed the court to remand the accused persons in prison custody.

However, counsel to the first accused, C. O. Taiwo, informed the court that he had filed an application for bail and prayed the court to accept his application. He also, prayed the court to remand his client in the EFCC custody.

Counsel to the second, third and fourth accused persons, K. Bello aligned himself to the prayers of 1st defence counsel.

Justice R.I.B. Adebiyi adjourned the case till October 20, 2015 for hearing of the bail application and ordered the accused persons be remanded in the EFCC custody.

•Photo shows EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde.

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