24th January, 2022
The quartet of Isaac Ogundimu, John Odaro, Andrew Egharevba, and Omorogbe Jacob has been found guilty of embezzling the N15 million disbursed by the Edo State Government.
The money was disbursed by the Edo State Government to the Edo State Welders Association for the empowerment of welders in the state.
The four men, who are executive members of the association, then diverted the money for their personal use.
However, Justice Ohimai Ovbiagele of the Edo State High Court sitting in Benin, declare the men guilty on Friday.
Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, who confirmed the development on Monday, said the suspects were arraigned in 2017 on a 15-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing by conversion, and forgery.
Upon arraignment, the four defendants pleaded not guilty setting the stage for a full trial.
To prove the allegations against the defendants the prosecution counsel, Moses Arumemi, Austin Ozigbu, Onyeka Ekweozor and Ibrahim Mohammed, called five witnesses and tendered eight exhibits while the defendants filed a no-case submission which was dismissed by the court and they were ordered to enter their defence.
However, Justice Ohimai Ovbiagele in her judgment found the defendants guilty, convicted and sentenced them to seven years imprisonment or a fine of N650, 000 each.