Nigeria’s anti-graft body, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has disclosed that the Director General of the Delta State Direct Labour Agency (DLA), Emmanuel Odafe Igbini, is being investigated by the Commission in a case of abuse of office and money laundering.

The EFCC had on Thursday November 13, 2014 arraigned Igbini before Justice U. Agomoh of the Federal High Court Port Harcourt, River State on a 3- count charge bordering on false declaration of assets.

Count one of the charge reads, “that you Emmanuel Odafe Igbini on or about 13th November, 2013 at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, South-South Zonal Office, No. 6A Olumeni Street, Old GRA, Off Forces Avenue, Port Harcourt within the jurisdiction of this honourable court knowingly failed to make full disclosure of your assets to wit: your Stanbic IBTC bank account number 0006379402 in the Assets Declaration Form you filled at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 27 (1) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Establishment Act 2004 and punishable under section 27(3) of the same Act”.

Second count reads, “that you Emmanuel Odafe Igbini on or about 13th November, 2013 at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, South-South Zonal Office, No. 6A Olumeni Street, Old GRA, Off Forces Avenue, Port Harcourt within the jurisdiction of this honourable court knowingly failed to make full disclosure of your assets to wit: your Stanbic IBTC bank US Dollar account number 0006441862 in the Asset Declaration Form you filled at the Economic and Financial Commission and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 27 (1) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Establishment Act 2004 and punishable under section 27(3) of the same Act.

He however pleaded not guilty to the charges. In view of his plea, the prosecuting counsel, O. Oyediran asked the court for a date for trial. The defence counsel, A.P Uwabuike, however, urged the court to grant the accused person bail pending the commencement of trial.

Justice Agomoh granted the accused person bail in the sum of one million naira with two sureties in like sum. One of the sureties must be a senior civil servant of level 10 and above. The sureties must own properties and reside within jurisdiction of court.

The case was adjourned to November 24, 25 and December1 and 2, 2014 for commencement of trial.

The accused is being investigated by the Commission in a case of abuse of office and money laundering.

Courtesy: EFCC