Abuja – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Henry Ogbolue and Lawrence Pepple, aides to Kingsley Kuku, Special Adviser (Niger Delta) to former President Goodluck Jonathan over alleged fraudulent acquisition of property.
The duo are charged with criminal conspiracy contrary to Section 26(1)(b)b and punishable under Section 12 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.
Ogbolue, who was Kuku’s media and communication assistant and Pepple, the technical assistant, were arraigned on Wednesday in an FCT High Court.
Kuku, the first defendant in the suit was absent for arraignment.
The prosecution counsel, Jonson Ojogbane, told the court that efforts to ensure Kuku’s presence yielded no results.
Ogbolue is accused of acquiring a private interest in the Great and Gamaliel Alliance company, which he is the sole signatory to the account and awarded a contract in the sum of N27,382,952.47.
The company is to provide integrated management of communications and stakeholders’ engagement chain for the office of the special adviser to the president on Niger Delta.
Ogbolue is also accused of failing to deliberately disclose his ownership of a property situated at plot 261 Durumi, Abuja.
Pepple is accused of acquiring interest in KER Global Wave Ltd, which he is the sole signatory to the account and awarded a contract to himself.
The company was to provide reintegrated support services for the office of the special amnesty programme.
When the charges were read to the defendants, they both pleaded not guilty and their counsel, Karina Tunya, prayed the court to grant them bail in liberal terms, saying they would not jump bail if granted.
Tunya told the court that the defendants would not interfere with investigation if granted bail.
Justice Mamman Kolo then granted bail to Ogbolue in the sum of N10 million with one surety in the like sum.
Kolo said that the surety must have a landed property within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and that the document of the property must be deposited in the court.
Justice Kolo also granted bail to Pepple in the sum of N5 million with one surety who must resident within the court’s jurisdiction.
He said the surety must possess a landed property in the FCT and the document must be deposited in the court as he adjourned the matter until
May 12 for hearing. (NAN)