29th January, 2013
Nnamdi Felix / Abuja
Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has filed a new charge against a former director of Nigeria Police Pension Office, John Yakubu Yusuf, convicted by a Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday after admitting stealing pension money.
Yusuf’s sentence by Justice Mohammed Talba to a two year jail term or a fine of N750,000, on the three counts he admitted guilt, triggered a national uproar and questions about the noble intention of the Federal government in fighting graft.
Last night, the EFCC re-arrested Yusuf in his home in Abuja.
In a four count charge filed at Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, the Federal Government alleged that Mr. Yusuf, had on 14 February, 2012, knowingly failed to make full disclosure of his assets and liability in the Declaration of Assets Form which he filled by not declaring his interest in a company known as SY-A Global Services Limited, incorporated by him and solely owned by him and members of his immediate family. The offence is said to be punishable under section 27(3) of the EFCC Act, 2004.
He was also alleged to have failed to declare his interest in a N250 million fixed deposit which was fixed in the name of the said company in an account it maintains at Zenith Bank International Plc. The former Pensions boss is the sole signatory to the company’s account. The company was also alleged to have another N10 million fixed deposit in an account it maintains at First Bank of Nigeria Plc.
Yusuf was also alleged of fixing another N29 million through one Mr. Danjuma Mele who is also scheduled to testify as a witness in the trial. The sum was allegedly fixed on the instruction of Mr. Yusuf through Mele’s company, Jidag Technical Services Ltd’s account in Diamond Bank Plc.
The matter is yet to be assigned by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for trial.