The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned one Mamman Ibrahim before Justice A. I. Kutigi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Gwagwalada on two counts of criminal breach of trust.
Ibrahim, who served as a pilot in charge of the Air Ambulance Aviation Unit and Helicopter Emergencies Service of the National Emergency Management Agency, was alleged to have diverted over N91m meant for the maintenance of the agency’s air fleet.
His arraignment followed a petition to the office of the Vice-President, which was forwarded to the office of the acting EFCC Chairman for investigation.
Investigations revealed that Ibrahim commercialised the services of the ambulance and the helicopter.
He allegedly claimed that the directive to do so was given to him by the office of a former Vice-President and a former Accountant-General of the Federation.
It was further revealed that the sum of N285m was realised from the commercialisation of the aircraft, while only N63m was paid to the AGF.
It was also gathered that N11m was paid to NEMA, while the balance had yet to be accounted for.
The petition stated that over N4m was paid into the account of Aerocare West Africa Limited, a company belonging to the defendant, which he transferred to his family members.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Deborah Ademu-Eteh, asked the court for a trial date, but the defence counsel, Aduojo Abah, moved a motion for the bail of his client.
Ademu-Eteh opposed the application, urging the court to “consider the severity of the punishment and the character of the evidence before the court.”
Ibrahim, who served as a pilot in charge of the Air Ambulance Aviation Unit and Helicopter Emergencies Service of the National Emergency Management Agency, was alleged to have diverted over N91m meant for the maintenance of the agency’s air fleet.
His arraignment followed a petition to the office of the Vice-President, which was forwarded to the office of the acting EFCC Chairman for investigation.
Investigations revealed that Ibrahim commercialised the services of the ambulance and the helicopter.
He allegedly claimed that the directive to do so was given to him by the office of a former Vice-President and a former Accountant-General of the Federation.
It was further revealed that the sum of N285m was realised from the commercialisation of the aircraft, while only N63m was paid to the AGF.
It was also gathered that N11m was paid to NEMA, while the balance had yet to be accounted for.
The petition stated that over N4m was paid into the account of Aerocare West Africa Limited, a company belonging to the defendant, which he transferred to his family members.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Deborah Ademu-Eteh, asked the court for a trial date, but the defence counsel, Aduojo Abah, moved a motion for the bail of his client.
Ademu-Eteh opposed the application, urging the court to “consider the severity of the punishment and the character of the evidence before the court.”
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