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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Makurdi Zonal Command, on Wednesday March 2, 2022 arraigned one Stephen Tyosula Aondongusha before Justice Abdu Dogo of the Federal High Court sitting in Makurdi, Benue State, on a one count charge bordering on false information.
The defendant allegedly wrote a false petition and misled operatives of the Commission by alleging that Union Bank Plc operated an account linked to his BVN under a false name and date of birth without his knowledge
Count reads: “That you, Stephen Tyosula Aondongusha, on or about the 10th day of October, 2019 at Makurdi, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did make to the Head of the Makurdi Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in the course of the exercise of the duties of his office, a statement to wit: Petition dated 10th October, 2019, alleging that you were coopted into a BVN enrolment with Union Bank Plc without your knowledge under a false name and date of birth, which to your knowledge is untrue and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 39(2)(a ) of the EFCC Establishment Act, 2004 and punishable under Section 39(2)(b) of the same Act”.
The defendant pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charge when it was read to him.
Upon his plea, the prosecution counsel, Mary Onoja urged the Court to fix a date for trial while the defence counsel, A. U. Ojeokema prayed the Court to grant his client bail.
Justice Dogo granted the defendant bail in the sum of Three Hundred Thousand Naira and a reliable surety in like sum. The surety must have a landed property valued at N2million or a civil servant on GL 6 and above in the Benue State Civil Service.
The case was adjourned till May 15, 2022, for trial to commence.
