Ladipo Sanusi/
For failing to declare three Bank accounts containing millions in Naira and foreign currencies, a former Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Labour, Dr. Illoh Onubuogo Clement, was today arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at a Federal High Court, Lagos.
Clement faced a 3-count charge bordering on failure to declare his full asset.
The EFCC in a charge marked FHC/L/1054c/17, alleged that the 59-year-old Permanent Secretary, had on April 16, 2016, failed to disclose the sum of N97, 300, 613.44 million in his account number 3033750243 domiciled with First Bank of Nigeria Limited.
He also allegedly warehoused $139, 575. 50, and £10, 121.52, British Pound Sterling (BPS), in his accounts number 3033750243 and 2017262246 also domiciled with First Bank of Nigeria Limited.
The offences according to the EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, are punishable under sections 23 (3)(c) of the Financial Crimes Commission Act 2004.
Clement, however, denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to all the three counts.
His lawyer, Tom Awhana, pleaded with the court to admit his bail on liberal terms.
He informed the Court that one of the grounds for his client’s bail application was that “he is suffering from hypertension and diabetes”.
He also pleaded with the Court to remand him in EFCC’s custody pending when he will meet all the bail conditions.
The EFCC prosecutor did not oppose the bail application. He pleaded with the court to allow the trial to commence immediately, after the defendant’s plea had been taken.
But the presiding judge, Justice Babs Kuewumi, in his bench ruling granted Clement bail in the sum of N50 million with one surety.
The surety, according to the judge, is to be a landed property owner within the Court’s jurisdiction, with evidence of three years tax payment.
Justice Kuewumi also ordered that the surety must submit his recent passport photograph, while the defendant is to submit his International passport with the Court’s Deputy Chief Registrar (DCR).
The judge however ordered that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody pending the perfection of the bail conditions. He adjourned the trial till May 8.
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