21st February, 2012
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has docked a College of Education bursar at an Anambra State High Court on a four-count charge bordering on forgery and altering.
He was arraigned before Justice V.M. Ume.
The suspect,, Mr. Michael Ekwunife, bursar of Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe, Anambra State, was alleged to have deducted the sum of N200 million from the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) account of the college; misappropriation of over N50 million unpaid salaries and allowances and unauthorised approval and misappropriation of N2. 9 million, all totaling N252.9 million from the account of the college.
Ekwunife’s petitioner alleged that the suspect was involved in reckless wastage of scarce funds, misappropriation of retired officers’ salaries and allowances since May 2000, forgery of educational and birth certificates of some members of staff, inflation of hotel bills of the interim provost, and unilateral approval of funds by the provost.
The suspect pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge preferred against him and a bail application was filed accordingly.
Justice Ume, after hearing the bail application, granted the suspect bail in the sum of N200,000.
He must also produce a surety resident in Anambra State with three years tax clearance and must surrender his international passport to the court.
The judge adjourned the case till May 3rd, 19th, 23rd, and 26th for accelerated trial.