The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday arraigned one Jarret Tenebe and his company, Fenix Impex Nigeria Limited, before Justice A. S. Umar of the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja on a two-count charge of forgery.

It was alleged that sometimes in 2010 at Abuja, the accused person fraudulently forged a State House letter, signed in the name of Chief Mike A. Oghiadomhe, former Chief of Staff to the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, requesting for approval for one year retainership service for evacuation of seized crude oil, with intent to defraud.

The offence is punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Law.

Count two of the charge reads: “That you, Jarret Tenebe ‘M’ and Fenix Imprex Nigeria Limited on or about 13th September, 2010 at Abuja which is within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court dishonestly used as a genuine forged STATE HOUSE Letter Reference: SH/COS/17/A/T CAPTIONED “REQUEST FOR APPROVAL FOR ONE YEAR RETAINERSHIP SERVICES FOR EVACUATION OF SIEZED CRUDE OIL” which you did signed in the name of one Chief Mike A. Oghiadomhe, the former Chief of Staff to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and presented to the Honourable Minister of Defence, knowing the said letter to be forged when you presented it, you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 366 of the Penal Code Lawand punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Law.”

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Upon his plea, counsel to the EFCC, Rimamsomte Ezekiel, asked the court to fix a date for trial and to remand the accused person in prison custody pending trial.

Tenebe’s counsel, Zakkawannu Garuba, on the other hand, informed the court that, he had a pending bail application, stating the condition of health of his client and prayed he be admitted to bail.

Justice Umar adjourned to December 19 for hearing of the bail application and ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody.

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