After Stealing N25 Billion From Edo State, EFCC wants to close case against Igbinedion

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said it will on September 23 close its case in the ongoing trial of Michael Igbinedion, the younger brother of former Edo State Governor Lucky N. Igbinedion. Igbinedion, Patrick Eboigbodin and four companies – Gava Corporation Limited, Romrig Nigeria Limited, PML Securities Company Limited and PML Nigeria Limited – are facing trial at a Federal High Court sitting in Benin, Edo State, over N25 billion scam. A statement yesterday by the Head of Media and Publicity of the anti-graft commission, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said three witnesses had testified for the commission. The statement said: “At the resumed hearing on Friday, June 21, 2013, EFCC called three witnesses. The first witness, Mr. Ajoyo Sowale, an Accounts Officer with Guaranty Trust Bank, identified various account statements and account opening documents of the accused and confirmed the lodgements made into the various accounts. He also told the court that he printed the various account statements and got them certified. “The EFCC counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), further led the second witness, Mr. Eriyo Amadiayagbon David, who was a Personal Assistant to Micheal Igbinedion, in evidence. David told the court how the second accused, Michael Igbinedion, instructed him on several occasions to make lodgements into his GTB accounts and those of Romrig Nigeria Limited and Gava Corporation. “According to David, he usually received cash from the Accountant at the Government House and paid into the account of the second accused ‘and after paying the government entourage, the remaining cash is usually given to the ADC (Aide-De-Camp) to the Governor’. “The witness further identified his name on the printed account statement of Michael Igbinedion, which is part of the exhibits before the court. “During cross-examination, counsel to the first accused, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), asked the witness if he ever stole government money with the first accused, Mr. Patrick Eboigbodin, and the witness told the court that he never did.” Justice Liman adjourned the matter till September 23 and 24