EFCC Re- Arraigns Walter Wagbatsoma, Four Others For Subsidy Scam

Walter

Ngadi

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 26, 2013, re-arraigned Walter Wagbatsoma, Adaoha Ugo – Ngadi, Fakuade Babafemi Ebenezer. Ezekiel Olaleye Ejidele and Ontario Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited implicated in the fuel subsidy scam before Justice Lateefa Okunnu of the Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja. The five suspects were arraigned on a nine count charge bordering on altering, forgery, conspiracy and obtaining property by false pretences,.

Counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs told the court the matter was for re-arraignment as it was referred from Justice Habeeb Abiru’s court due to his elevation to the appellate court. He prayed they be allowed to take their plea and thereafter, the suspects were called to the dock and the charges read to them. They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

 

Thereafter,  Rotimi said he will not oppose bail the granted previously by Justice Habeeb Abiru. In the former bail conditions,  the first defendant (together with Ontario Oil & Gas Nigeria Limited) received bail in the sum of One hundred and fifty million naira (N150, 000,000.00), and three sureties in like sum, two of whom must have landed properties in Lagos and must all be resident in Lagos. Bail was also granted the second defendant in the sum of One hundred million naira (N100, 000, 000.00) and two sureties in like sum, one of whom must have landed property in Lagos and must all be resident in the state.

 

Also, the third defendant was granted bail in the sum of ten million naira (N10, 000,000.00) and two sureties in like sum, one of whom must have landed property in Lagos and they must all be resident in Lagos state. Finally, the fourth defendant was also admitted to bail in the sum of ten million naira (N10, 000, 000.00) and two sureties in like sum, one of whom must have landed property in Lagos and they must all be resident in Lagos state

All the sureties must show evidence of two years tax payment, must be gainfully employed with identifiable means of livelihood. The documents of the properties should be deposited with the court registrar. The documents should be verified with the Lagos State Land Registry. An EFCC officials who participated in the investigations should be part of the document's verification.

 

Justice Okunnu agreed they be allowed to continue on their previous bail terms and adjourned till  May 8, 9, & 10 2013.

The accused person first took their pleas on the nine count charge before Justice Abiru on August 1, 2012.