The accused, Prince
Stephen Alao and four other members of the board, Adams Osabuohie, Director of Finance
and Administration, Dove Momodu , Mallam Ali Sulayman, Acting Board Chairman
and Dr. Aisosa Amadaun.
Alao and the four others were
arraigned before Justice Ohimai Ovbiagele of the Edo State High Court, Benin
City, on charges bordering on criminal conspiracy, conferring corrupt advantage
upon self and knowingly holding private interest in a contract award and abuse
of office respectively.
The accused persons allegedly abused
their office and fraudulently diverted public funds through payments for
non-existent contracts, diversion of Tender fees and illegal sale of government
properties.
Alao and his co-travellers however
pleaded not guilty to the charges. In view of their plea, the defence counsel,
F. Eleme, M. C. Ohio and I. Aiguobaruejhin filed bail
applications on behalf of the
defendants and served the prosecution led by Benedict Ubi.
The prosecution counsel however
prayed the court for time to study and respond to the application.
The court adjourned till October 9,
2017 for hearing on the bail application and 26th and 27th, October,
2017 for hearing of the substantive matter. They are to be remanded in prison
custody pending the hearing of their bail applications.
One of the charges preferred against
them reads, “that you Prince Stephen Alao, Adams Osabuohien, Dove Momodu,
Mallam Ali Sulayman and Dr. Aisosa Amadasun, sometime in the years 2013 to
2016, at Edo State conspired to commit an offence under Corrupt Practices and
Other Related Offences Act, No. 5, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2000.”
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