The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday re-arraigned a former governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Timipre Sylva, at a Federal High Court in Abuja for alleged fraud involving about N2.45billion.
According to the charges against the ex-governor, he allegedly committed the offence between October 2009 and February 2010 as governor of Bayelsa State.
He pleaded not guilty to all the six counts when he was re-arraigned before Justice Evoh Chukwu.
In the charge signed by the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Festus Keyamo, Sylva was accused of offences, including conversion of various sums of money belonging to the state with the aim of concealing their illicit origins.
He was also accused of inducing Union Bank Plc to fraudulently grant him a N2billion overdraft facility under the pretext of using the money to augment workers’ salaries.
He allegedly committed the offences in conspiracy with other unnamed persons said to be at large.
After he was arraigned yesterday, Justice Chukwu granted him bail in the conditions and terms previously granted by the former trial judge.
The oral bail application by Sylva’s lawyer, Israel Olorundare (SAN), was not opposed by the prosecuting counsel from Keyamo’s law firm, Mr. John Ainetor.
The case has been adjourned to May 25 for commencement of trial.
Source: The Leadership
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