Lagos (Lagos State) – A Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday ordered former Executive Secretary of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Femi Thomas, to be remand in prison.
Thomas is accused of financial transaction involving 2.2 million dollars without going through a financial institution.
The court also ordered that a Bureau de Change operator, Kabiru Sidi, be remanded in prison alongside Thomas.
Justice Saliu Saidu made the order following the four-count charge brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
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The prosecutor, Mr ABC Ozioko urged the court to remand the accused.
Counsel to the accused, Mr Joseph Nwobike (SAN), informed the court that they had filed an application for bail.
He urged the court to admit the first accused to bail on self-recognition and that the second accused person be admitted to bail on liberal terms.
Justice Saidu admitted the first accused to bail in the sum of N25 million with two sureties in like sum.
The judge added that one of the sureties must be a Grade Level 15 officer in the civil service.
The judge also admitted the second accused to bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties in like sum.
Saidu added that one of the sureties must be a Grade Level 12 officer in the civil service.
The court, however, ordered that the accused be remanded in custody until they perfected the bail terms.
He adjourned the suit to May 12 for trial.
The EFCC in the charge number FHC/L/457C/2015, said the first accused and his wife, who is still at large, had on or about July 3, 2015, conspired to commit the offence.
They were also alleged to have made a cash payment of the said sum to one Ibitoye John Bamidele without going through any financial institution.
The Bureau De Change operator was said to have on July 15, 2015, at the Ikoyi office of EFCC, made a false statement to an investigating officer that he was the owner of the said sum of money.
The offences are said to have contravened the provisions of sections 18 (2)(b): 1(a) and 39(2)(b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004. (NAN)
