EFCC arraigns three for fake N4.5m NDDC contract

The Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission (EFCC)
on Monday, February 8,
arraigned Joseph Lah Leh,
Nwinunu Sorbari and
Emenike Henry before
Justice U.N Agomoh of the
Federal High Court sitting in
Port Harcourt, Rivers State
on a five- count charge
bordering on conspiracy,
forgery and obtaining money
by false pretence to the tune
of N4, 500,000.00 (Four
Million, Five Hundred
Thousand Naira.
The petitioner, Uzoma Obilor,
Managing Director/CEO,
Bikpak Limited, alleged that
one of his business
associates, Kenule Kukang,
sometime in May, 2012,
brought a proposal for
getting contracts from the
Niger Delta Development
Commission, NDDC, and
then introduced him to Lah
Leh (the first accused
person) who claimed that he
could help him( Obilor)
secure the contract.
Obilor further alleged that he
was shown a tender, which
Kukang, who also claimed to
be a special assistant to one
L.F. Ntoue, his in-law and
Board member representing
Federal Ministry of Finance
in the NDDC, confirmed to
be genuine.
Thereafter, Lah Leh allegedly
demanded for N5million from
Obilor to start the processing
of the contract, which was
paid in three instalments of
N2.5m, N2m and N500, 000
with a Standard Chartered
Bank cheque No.00000151.
The petitioner further alleged
that, after he had made the
full payment, the first
accused person, who was
accompanied by Sorbari, the
second accused person,
gave him a contract award
letter.
Worried by the incessant
threats and harassment for
more money by the accused
persons, the petitioner then
visited the NDDC to verify
the award letter, which was
found to be fake.
However, all efforts by the
petitioner to get back his
money were unsuccessful.
The accused persons
pleaded not guilty to the
charges when they were
read to them.
In view of their pleas, the
prosecution counsel, M.T.
Iko, asked for a trial date,
However, the defense
counsel, O.C. Wechie, prayed
the court to grant the
accused persons bail.
Justice Agomoh granted the
accused bail in the sum of
N1, 000,000.00 (One Million
Naira) each, with two
sureties in like sum. One of
the sureties must be a civil
servant not below Grade
Level 12, while the other
must be a blood relation who
must be verified by the
prosecution and court bailiff.
Justice Agomo adjourned to
March 15, 2016 for trial and
ordered the accused persons
to be remanded in prison
custody pending the
fulfilment of their bail
conditions.
Source: Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
(EFCC)