The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday arraigned the quintet of Isaac Ogundimu, Monday Ewemade, John Odaro, Andrew Egharevba and Omorogbe Jacob before Justice Ohimai Ovbiagele of the Edo State High Court, Benin City, on a 15-count charge bordering on stealing, conspiracy and intent to defraud.

The five accused persons were alleged to have, sometime between January and December 2016 conspired amongst themselves and stole the aggregate sum of N15 million being the property of Edo State Welders Association.

One of the charges reads: “That you Isaac Ogundimu, Monday Ewemade, John Odaro, Andrew Egharevba and Omorogbe Jacob sometime on the 22nd September 2016 within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Edo State with intent to defraud, stole the sum of five million, two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N5,250,000) being the property of Edo State Welders Association by fraudulent conversion and thereby committed an offence.”

The offence is said to be contrary to section 383 (1) (a) of the Bendel State Criminal Code Law, 1976 and punishable under Section 390(9) of the same law.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them.

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

Counsel to the first accused person, L. O. Alao, prayed the court to grant his client bail as the offence was bailable and that he has filed a bail application which has been served on the prosecution. He pleaded with the court to allow his client continue on the administrative bail granted him by the EFCC.

Arumemi however opposed the motion as he said he was only served last week Friday few minutes to the close of work hence he needed time to respond.

Counsel to the 3 and 4 accused persons, U. O. Okunbor, also pleaded with the court to grant his clients bail.

Justice Ovbiagele after listening to all arguments by counsel adjourned the matter to October 11, 2017 for commencement of trial and ruling on the bail applications. He ordered that the accused persons be remanded in prison.

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