9th July, 2014
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday, arraigned the Taraba State Accountant–General, Joel Joseph Lenbang, before Justice Donatus Nwabueze Okorowo of the Federal High Court, Jalingo, for defrauding Taraba State Government to the tune of N1.56 billion.
He was charged to court on an eight-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence, offences contrary to and punishable under the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
The accused however pleaded not guilty to the charges.
EFCC began investigation of the Taraba State official following a petition received from a concerned Taraba State indigene in February 2014, alleging massive looting of Taraba State funds. EFCC said the investigations subsequently revealed systematic withdrawal of state funds through a scheme by Lengbang.
Withdrawals were allegedly made under the guise that such monies were used for sundry payments on behalf of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), as well as payment of Bank Commissions on Turn over (COT) and Value Added Tax (VAT) which became a monthly affair.
A total sum of N1,567,226,557.081 (one billion, five hundred and sixty seven million, two hundred and twenty six thousand, five hundred and fifty seven naira, eighty one kobo) was discovered to have been looted from the state treasury between January 2012 and December 2013.
As a result of the no guilty plea of the accused, prosecuting counsel, Al Qasim Ja’afar, applied for a date to commence trial.
The counsel to accused, Abayomi Akamode, however, informed the court that he had filed a motion for bail this morning and urged the court hear it.
But Al Qasim told the court that he was just served the motion on notice in court and would need time to peruse and respond appropriately.
Justice Okorowo adjourned the case till 11 July 2014 for hearing of the bail application and remanded the accused in prison custody.