The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday, arraigned
the former Coordinator of Afikpo South Local Government Development Center of Ebonyi state, Hon. Ugwuocha Okoroafor, before Justice E.A. Ngene of the State High Court, Afikpo, Ebonyi State.
Okoroafor was arraigned alongside his Treasurer, Christian Chukwu Owo and the Administrative Officer, Anne Eke Agwuon a 15-count charge of conspiracy and stealing of public funds totalling over N25,000,000.00
Okoroafor
and his alleged co-conspirators were said to have at various times
between 2013 and 2015 raised vouchers for payments ranging from contract
awards, salaries and independence day celebrations in the names of
staff of the development centre. The staff denied that they authorized
such vouchers or received such funds.
Investigation into the matter which was reported by Center for Prevention of Corruption and Human Right Initiatives
and some staff of the development centre revealed that the accused
persons padded their salaries and those of other staff above the
approved limits with the connivance of a staff of the bank where the
local Government is domiciled.
The sum
of N16, 000,000 and N8,000,000 were at different times traced to the
accused person’s account which upon interrogation, could not justify the
source.
Photo Credit: EFCC
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