Ex-Benue electoral commission chair, 10 others arraigned over N1.1bn fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned a former Chairman of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSEIC), Dr Tersoo Joseph Loko, alongside 10 others over an alleged N1.1 billion fraud. Our correspondent reports that the accused were brought before Justice M.S. Abubakar of the Federal High Court sitting in Makurdi. The […]
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned a former Chairman of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSEIC), Dr Tersoo Joseph Loko, alongside 10 others over an alleged N1.1 billion fraud.
Our correspondent reports that the accused were brought before Justice M.S. Abubakar of the Federal High Court sitting in Makurdi.
The 10 others docked with Loko are Kuleve Kelvin Terlumun, Serki Mtomga Manasseh, Ugbede Denen Ronald, Tatyough Thaddeus, Angwa Dominic Terhember, Uwua Benjamin Igbawua, Adese Asom, Orkuma Emmanuel Nyiusta, Owoicho Odeh and Mhir Iyenge.
The defendants were arraigned on a 30-count charge bordering on criminal misappropriation of public funds and money laundering amounting to N1.1 billion.
Loko was arrested by the Makurdi Zonal Directorate of the EFCC following a petition alleging that he abused his office to divert funds released for the conduct of the 2020 and 2022 local government elections in Benue State.
The petition had stated a total sum of N985,403,001.74 and N680 million released for the 2020 and 2022 local government elections, respectively, bringing the total to N1,665,403,100.
It was alleged that only N565,039,506 was utilised for both elections, leaving N1,100,363,594 unaccounted for.
But all the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read in court.
Following their pleas, prosecution counsel, M.S. Yusuf, requested a trial date to enable the EFCC to prove its case.
Justice Abubakar granted each defendant bail in the sum of N50 million with one surety in like sum.
The defendants were ordered to be remanded in custody pending the perfection of their bail conditions.