EFCC Charges Staff with embezzlement

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, 28th  November, 2011, arraigned David Lohbut, a Police Sergeant seconded to the EFCC, before Justice Mohammed Talba of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, on a three count charge bordering on dishonestly obtaining money and misappropriating fundraising.

EFCC Counsel, Offem Uket,  sought leave of the court that the accused person’s charge be read to him and his plea taken which was granted.

The accused person  pleaded not guilty to all the charges and defense counsel Ogbukeri Chideibere applied for bail to which prosecution counsel did not object.

In his ruling, Justice Mohammed Talba granted the accused person bail in the sum of N5 Million and two sureties in like sum, one who must be at least a level 10 Federal Civil Servant.

Furthermore, Justice Talba ruled that upon failure to fulfill the conditions, the accused person  be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the case to 17th January for the commencement of trial.

Trouble started for Lohbut when it was discovered that he investigated an unapproved petition and fraudulently converted N3.8 million to his personal use.

He was subsequently investigated  with an  overwhelming evidence supporting his culpability for sundry criminal offences and offences against discipline.

He was accordingly  subjected to orderly room trial for falsehood and disobedience to lawful order, and dismissed from the services of the Nigeria Police Force with effect from October 26, 2011 for the said offence.

Count One of the Three count charge reads: That you David Lohbut ‘m’ between December, 2010 and June  2011 in Abuja, within the Abuja Judicial Division being entrusted with the sum of N2, 000,000.00 (Two Million Naira) by one Olajide J Adesina in your capacity in  as an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as refund to one Mr. Eze Valentine in the course of an alleged investigation conducted by you, dishonestly misappropriated the said money to your own use and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 315 of the penal code, Cap. 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990.