The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday, presented its second witness in the trial of three Consultants to the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Messrs Gregory Eriyamremu, Frank Ugen and Harryman Oyofo alongside their company: Partsmaster Oil and Gas Limited, who are facing a five-count charge bordering on stealing and conspiracy to the tune of N113 million.

The witness, Jackson Edet, an operative of EFCC, appeared before Justice T.O. Uloho of the Delta State High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State. In his testimony, Edet said that a confirmation was made at DESOPADEC’s office in April 2010 that a sum of N282,645,172 was paid into Partsmaster Oil and Gas’ account for disbursement to eight contractors using invoices of three companies. The companies are: Ogbo Ode & Co, Broadway Services Limited and Buid-Up Dimensinal Services Limited. The money was allegedly not fully disbursed into the account of the three companies.

Banking transactions of the three defendants also showed that N50 million was transferred into the account of the 1st defendant; N49 million was transferred into the 3rd defendant's account while a sum of N28,350,000 was transferred into the account of one Victor Adegbola, all in Sterling Bank.

Continuing in his testimony, Edet added that two officers from the Delta State’s Surveyor General Office: Dickson Akpogene and Mr.A.Osewa were interviewed. However, counsel to the defendants: E.L.Akpofure (SAN) and E.L.Unwuze objected to a document from the Office of Surveyor General of Delta State tendered by the prosecution witness, arguing that the witness was not the author of the document.

The trio and their company are alleged to have, at different periods, diverted the sum of N113 millon meant for payments of contractors who executed jobs for DESOPADEC to personal use. The offence is contrarily to section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code Cap C21 laws of Delta State of Nigeria 2006.

Troubles came for the three Consultants when a petitioner, Princess Monica Akiri, on behalf of her clients, alleged that DESOPADEC paid the sum of N282,645,172.78 into Equitorial Trust Bank, now Sterling Bank Plc’s account of Partsmaster Oil and Gas Limited, to disburse to eight contractors who executed some contract jobs at the proposed Paper Mill Industrial Layout, Benikrukru in Warri South-West, Local Government Area of Delta State.

Justice Uloho adjourned the matter to 31 October 20 November, 2017 for continuation of trial.

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