1st August, 2015
Eromosele Ebhomele
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned Umar Yusuf and Ibrahim Ahmed Bebeji, both former clerks of the National Orthopedic Hospital, Dala, Kano State before Justice Dije Aboki of the State High Court, Kano on a three-count charge of criminal breach of trust and theft.
Yusuf and Bebeji, between January and September, 2013, according to the EFCC, allegedly conspired and fraudulently altered information on official revenue receipts in their custody for services rendered to individuals.
An audit report carried out by the Hospital Management later revealed that the sum of N3,331,167 was collected as revenue by the accused, but that the duo declared and paid the sum of N150,314 to the hospital coffers while pocketing the sum of N3,180,853.
One of the charges reads: “that you, Umar Yusuf And Ibrahim Ahmad Bebeji between January to September, 2013 in Kano within the judicial division of the High Court of Justice, Kano State, while being clerks of the National Orthopedic Hospital, Dala, Kano, committed theft of the sum of N3,180,853.00 (three million, one hundred and eighty thousand, eight hundred and fifty three naira only) which was received as part of the revenue accruable to the Hospital and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 286 and punishable under Section 289 of Penal Code.”
The accused persons pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.
Counsel to the EFCC, Musa Isa, asked the court for a date for hearing sequel to the plea of the accused persons.
However, the defence counsel urged the court to admit the accused persons to bail.
Justice Aboki granted the accused bail with two sureties of not below Grade Level 12.
The sureties must sign a bond of N1 miilion each while the accused are to be remanded in prison custody until their bail conditions are met.
The case has been adjourned to 8 October, 2015 for commencement of trial.