Police arraign former Imo commissioner over fraud

The police in Imo State yesterday arraigned a former Commissioner of Commerce and Industry in the state, Best Mbanaso, in court for fraud.   Mbanaso, who was also a special adviser on Mayoral Affairs (Orlu zone) to Governor Rochas Okorocha, was slammed with 11 counts bothering on stealing and destruction of fuel stations in the state. […]

The police in Imo State yesterday arraigned a former Commissioner of Commerce and Industry in the state, Best Mbanaso, in court for fraud.  

Mbanaso, who was also a special adviser on Mayoral Affairs (Orlu zone) to Governor Rochas Okorocha, was slammed with 11 counts bothering on stealing and destruction of fuel stations in the state.

Mbanaso was arrested last Wednesday following series of petitions to the state Commissioner of Police, Dasuki Galadanchi.

He pleaded not guilty to the 11 counts charge and was subsequently granted bail.

He was alleged to have between 2012 and 2013 with intent to defraud, received fuel station materials valued at over N38 million from Olison Enterprises, belonging to Chief Oliver Anopuome and purported to have acted on the instruction of the Imo State Government.

He was equally alleged to had received 33,000 litres of diesel valued at over N5 million belonging to Olison Enterprises under the pretence of acting for the state government.

He was also accused of maliciously destroying a fuel station belonging to one Oliver under the pretence of acting for the state government.

The magistrate, Adaugo Nosiri, said the accused was granted bail on all the charges on which the court has jurisdiction and adjourned the matter to September 10.