The Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission; EFCC today February 11, 2014 re-arraigned Ziriki Timipre Godwill and Wenibowei Moses
Michael, former aides of Timipre Sylva, former governor of Bayelsa State.
The duo who served as Senior Special Assistant
(SSA) on Persons Living with Disabilities and Senior Special Assistant (SSA)
Youth and Conflict Management respectively were re-arraigned before Justice
Kate Abiri of the State High Court, Yenagoa, Bayelsa state on a four-count
amended charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing. They were first arraigned
on the 4th of March, 2013 before Justice J.A Ajuwa Suo Motu of the
State High Court. But the case file had
to be returned to the Chief Judge for re-assignment after the trial judge
revealed that the 1st accused attends the same church with him.
Zikiri and Moses allegedly
conspired and diverted the sum of ten million naira (N10, 000,000.00) approved
by Governor Sylva for non- indigenes welfare.
They however, pleaded not
guilty to the amended charge when it was read to them
One of the charges reads, “that
you Zikiri Timipre Godwill on or about the month of August, 2011 at Yenagoa in
the Yenagoa Judicial Division while you were a Senior Special Assistant (SSA)
to the former Bayelsa State Governor, His Excellency, Timipre Sylva on Persons
Living with Disabilities did steal the sum of Four Million, Five Hundred
Thousand Naira(N4,500.000.00) property of Bayelsa State Government being
a part of the take-off grant approved by the former Governor of Bayelsa State
for the office of Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Non-Indigenes Welfare and
thereby Committed an offence contrary to Section 317(5) of the Criminal Code
Law Vol.1 CAP C14 Laws of the Bayelsa State 2006”.
In view of their plea, the
prosecution counsel, A.I Arogha sought the leave of the court to commence trial
as some of the prosecuting witnesses were on hand and ready to testify. The
defence counsel, Eric Deri and Prince D.O Ejinyere, however prayed that the accused
persons be granted bail on the previous terms offered them by the court.
Justice Abiri granted the
accused persons bail and adjourned the matter till February 28, and March 14
and 17, 2014 for hearing.
No comments:
Post a Comment