EFCC arraigns civil servant for false information

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a 43-year-old civil servant in Kwara State, Lambe Binta, before the Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin for false information.

Binta was arraigned on Monday on a count charge bordering on internet fraud and possession of fraudulent funds.

She allegedly received N25,000 from one Faloye Victor, who was arrested by the EFCC, for offences bordering on internet fraud and possession of fraudulent funds.

The charge against her read: “That you, Lambe Binta, sometime on 12th May, 2022, at Ilorin, Kwara State, within the judicial division of the Federal High Court did make false information to Olanrewaju Lamidi; an officer of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in the course of the exercise of the duties of his office, declaration on the EFCC Criminal Form 25 (Recognizance) that you did not receive or pay anything for the bail of Faloye Oluwadamilola Victor either for yourself or on behalf of any other person which to your knowledge is untrue in any material particular and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 39 (2) (a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004 and punishable under Section 39 (2) (b) of the same Act”.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.

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Following her plea, counsel to the EFCC, Andrew Akoja, prayed the court to fix a date for trial to enable the prosecution to prove its case.

Counsel to the defendant, Abiola Usman, through an oral application, asked the court to admit his client to bail pending trial.

The presiding judge, Justice Muhammed Sani, however, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with one surety in like sum.

Justice Sani said the surety must be a civil servant and must deposit a photocopy of his/her identity card with the court.

The judge, therefore, adjourned the case to November 3 for commencement of trial.

The Star