BY AGNES NWORIE, ABAKALIKI
The Department of State Services has arraigned one Peter Nnadozie Ali before a Magistrate’s court sitting in Abakaliki for allegedly duping the Ebonyi State Government of the sum of N245 million.
The suspect, in a suit marked MAB/430c/2021, was accused of duping the state government of N245,170,000, purportedly meant for clearing of containers of tiles and glasses meant for projects.
Nnadozie-Ali and others at large were said to have committed the offence on 15th February, 2021.
The three counts against Nnadozie-Ali bordered on conspiracy to obtain money under false pretence from the state government; making false representation to dupe the state; and diversion of state government’s money to other use.
The charge, marked MA3/14.30/2021 MAS430, read that “Peter Nnadozie Ali and others at large, on the 15th February, 2021, did conspire to commit a felony (of) obtaining by false pretence by duping the Ebonyi State Government to the tune of N245,170,000 purportedly for clearing of some container loads of tiles and glasses, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 516 A (a) of the Criminal Code (Cap 33). Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.
“That Peter Nnadozie Ali and others at large, with intent to defraud the state government, made false representation and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 419 of the Criminal Code, Cap 33, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.
“That Peter Nnadozie Ali and others at large obtained money by false pretence and that you diverted the money purported for clearing of goods on behalf of the state and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Related Offenses Act, 2006, applicable in Ebonyi State.”
The legal officer to the SSS, Ekwom O.A., was opposed to the defense counsel’s application for bail with a claim that the suspect might default.
Magistrate Linda Ogodo ordered that the suspect be remanded at the Abakaliki Correctional Centre pending the advice of the Department of Public Prosecution on the case.
