₦1 Billion World Bank GIFMIS Fraud: Accused Persons Arraigned by EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, today May 26, 2015, arraigned Mohammed Dogonyaro Audu (aka Abdullahi Dogonyaro Mohammed) and Yahaya Ayodeji,both staff of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, OAGF, before Justice Yusuf Halilu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory Jabi, Abuja, on a ten count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy and complicity in award of contact.

The duo allegedly abused their offices by floating companies through which they cornered contracts emanating from the Economic Reform and Governance Project, ERGP, domiciled in the office of the Accountant General of the Federation.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them.

Count three of the charge reads;

That you Mohammed Dogonyaro Audu(aka Abdullahi Dogonyaro Mohammed) and Yahaya Ayodeji while employed in the public service on the 5th of August 2011 at Abuja in the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court knowingly acquired a private interest through your company AY-Quest Worldwide Limited in a contract awarded for the procurement of GIFMIS training materials emanating from the Economic Reform and Governance Project (ERGP), office of the Accountant General of the Federation wherein you are both employed and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 12 of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000”.

In view of their plea, prosecution counsel Cosmas Ugwu asked the court for a date to commence trial. However, counsel to the accused persons, Abubakar Sadiq Oderiku made an oral application for bail citing the “chaotic epileptic power supply” and short notice from his clients as the reason for the application.

Justice Halilu ruled that the defence files a formal application for bail as the matter is before a court of record. He remanded the accused persons in Kuje prison and adjourned the matter to June 9, 2015.

Media & Publicity
26th May, 2015