Bayelsa State Field Office Officials Of Federal Ministry Of Environment Arraigned For N21m Fraud

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned four officials of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Bayelsa State Field Office, for alleged N21million fraud.
A statement from the EFCC’s spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, said the suspects were brought on Friday before the state High Court presided over by Justice Kate Abiri.

The arraigned suspects were identified as Fred Otonba Tariah, Education S. Zighadina, Omedu Enwuviko Livinus and Bekearedbo Warrens.
They were charged on 18-count of conspiracy, forgery, uttering, impersonation and obtaining N21million by false pretense.

Fred was alleged to be involved in numerous illegal activities and corrupt practices.
He was accused of opening an account in Sterling Bank using the name, “The Controller, Federal Ministry of Environment, Bayelsa State”, which he was a signatory alongside Zghadina.

He was further alleged to have given companies in the state demand notices asking them to make payment into the Federal Ministry of Environment for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) permit, which he allegedly diverted for personal use.

Uwujaren, in the statement, said that all the accused persons pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them.

Abiri granted the defendants N200, 000, bail each and asked each of them to provide a surety, who must be a grade-level 12 officer of state or federal civil service and must depose an affidavit of means.

The matter was adjourned to November 7 for trial.