By,Giwa Alex,Jos
Federal High Court( 2) of Nigeria sitting in the Jos ,Plateau state has ordered the former minister of Water Resources ,Sarah Reng Ochekpe ,Evangelist Leo Sunday Jitong and former Ag People Democratic Party Chairman ,Hon Raymond Dabo to produce their recent passport photographs including international passports as conditions for bail term .
Justice ,Haruna Kurya gave this order during the Tuesday trial after a thorough argument from the defendants counsel ,Barr. Sunday Oyawole protesting the reverse amended charge by the prosecution counsel ,Barr. Ahamad Yakub Muntaka .
The prosecution counsel Barr. Muntaka earlier presented the amended charge of 3 count which read, ,”that you Sarah Reng Ochekpe ,Evangelist Leo Sunday Jitong and Raymond Dabo sometimes in March ,2015 at Jos, Plateau state of Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this honourable court without going through the financial institution, did conspire amongst yourselves to accept cash payment of the sum of four hundred and fifty million naira (N450,000,000.00) from one Annet Gyen ,Head of operations Jos branch of Fidelity bank PLC which sum exceeded the amount authorized by law and thereby committed an offence contrary to the provision of section 18(a) section 16 (1) ,(d) of the money laundering prohibition act 2012 as amended and punishable under section 16 (2),(b) of the same act “.
Count 2 :
That you,” Sarah Reng Ochekpe ,Evangelist Leo Sunday Jitong and Raymond Dabo sometimes in March ,2015 at Jos ,Plateau state of Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this honourable court without going through the financial institution did accept cash payment of the sum of four hundred and fifty million naira (450,000,000.00 )from one Annwt Olije Gyen ,head of operations Jos branch of Fidelity bank PLC which sum exceeded the amount authorized by law to be paid to an individual and thereby committed an offence contrary to the provision of section 1 a section 16 ,1 ,d of the money laundering prohibition act 2012 as amended and punishable under section 16 (b) of the same Act.
Count 3 :
That you Sarah Reng Ochekpe, Evangelist Leo Sunday Jitong and Raymond Dabo sometimes in March, 2015 at Jos ,Plateau state of Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did retain the proceeds of crime to the tune of four hundred and fifty million naira from one Annet Olije Gyen head of operation Jos branch of Fidelity bank PLC after accepting same from the banking hall of Fidelity bank PLC Jos branch and thereby committed an offence contrary to the provision of section 1 A ,section 16 (1) d of the money laundering prohibition act 2012 as amended and punishable under section 16 (2) b of the same act.
However, the prosecution counsel Barr Muntaka revealed that his application dated 9th February, 2018 served on 13th February, 2018.
The Economic and financial Crime Commission ,No 4 EFCC street ,New GRA Gombe ,Gombe state told the court that he has 3 principal witnesses who are ready to testify against the financial misappropriation of the three accused.
According to him the matter was slated today for indefinite hearing and 3 of witness are before this honourable court from Lagos ,Abuja and Benue states were he urged the court to proceed with the application .
On his judgment ,Justice Haruna Kurya the counsel to EFCC in reverse amended charge on 22nd ,January, 2018 comply for hearing to 13-14 February, 2018 on bail condition hereby produce international passport photographs including passports as exhibit .
The case has been adjourned to Wednesday, 14th February, 2018 for continuation of hearing .
It could be recalled That the former minister of water resources during the immediate past Administration is standing trial with three others for allegedly miss appropriating #450 million met for 2015 general election.
