Ex-Edo NMA Chairman, Four Others Docked For Stealing N13.6m

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ), has arraigned a former Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association ( NMA ) in Edo State, Dr. Emmanuel Ighodaro and four other medical doctors before an Edo State High Court for allegedly stealing N13.6m.

Other accused persons who were docked are former executives of Edo NMA, including Dr. Anthony Owolabi, Dr. Quincy Atoghengbe, Dr. Raymond Ogieva and Dr. Oseremen Gabriel Ogbebor.

They were arraigned before Justice Efe Igbonmwonba for offenses bothering on stealing and conspiracy to commit fraudulent false accounting.

A 21-count charge were preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ).

Prosecuting counsel, Dr. Ben Ubi, said the accused persons committed the offence while acting in their capacities as officers of Edo NMA between 2013 and 2014.

The charges read in parts, “The defendants, knowingly and privies to omitting the UBA Account No. 1010717142, a material particular in an account maintained and operated by the NMA in its  audit report for the accounting year 1st August, 2013- 31st July, 2014”.

“They also conspired among themselves to make a false entry in the audit report of the accounting year, 1st  August, 2013-  31st July 2014 of the association to wit, inserting anticipatory income in the report to cover a loan of six million naira yet to be received and thereby committed an offence.”

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges after which their Counsel, Bello Imadegbelo (SAN) applied for their bail.

Justice Igbonmwonba admitted the defendants on bail on N1m each and a surety who must be gainfully employed.

Igbonmwonba said the sureties must present evidence of tax payments.