N25b Fraud: EFCC Files Fresh Charges Against Igbinedion

The former Governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinadion was this morning charged to court over a N25  billion fraud he allegedly committed while in office.

He was charged along with six others including his brother, Michael Igbinedion and Patrick Ehoedodin.

When the charges were to be read by counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,  none of the accused persons was in court. They were represented by a team of lawyers led by Ricky  Tarfa, SAN.

The EFCC also charged four companies alongside the accused persons. They are: Gaba Corporation, Roney  Nigeria Limited, CML Security Limited and ML Nigeria Limited.

The accused persons were alleged to have converted Edo State shares in African Bank worth $6.2 million  to personal use and another $300 million government fund for the purchase of Sheraton Hotel in Benin  City and conversion of Edo State government shares in Access Bank to his own.

The defence counsel, Ricky Tarfa, SAN, entered a plea of not guilty for his client.

The presiding judge, Justice Adamu Hobon, adjourned the case till 22 March 2011.

—Yomi Obaditan/Benin