THREE NGO OFFICIALS DOCK OVER ALLEGED STEALING OF N4.5 MILLION MEANT TO CATER FOR HIV VICTIMS
The witness further said that the case was reported to the Business Risk Units of MTN (BRM) for investigation, adding that, “following the information from BRM, we discovered that funds meant for buying drugs at the centres for HIV/AIDs victims were misappropriated’.
“It was also discovered that documents were added in the names of two companies that we don’t have any dealings with. After the findings from the BRM, the matter was reported to the EFCC for further investigation.”
The witness under cross-examination by the defence counsel, J. O.Odubela, confirmed that the money meant for the treatment of the AIDs victim was usually paid to Hope Worldwide quarterly, explaining that after the fraud was discovered, members from the NGO were invited for a meeting to tell them the findings of BRM and that a letter was written to inform them about the fraud.
Udobang, who further said that the discovery led to the termination of the contract with the NGO, insisted that the letter itemised the area where they suspected the alleged fraud.
However, in his response, counsel to the defendants, J.O. Odubela, informed the court that he had filed bail applications on behalf of his clients and also urged court to grant them bail on liberal terms.
Justice Oshodi granted the defendants bail on self-recognizance and also ordered them to enter a financial bond of N2 million each, which should be paid to the Chief Registrar of the Lagos State High Court.
Penpushing also reports that the accused were ordered to deposit their international passports with the court’s Registrar, while the judge, however, said that the bail would be revoked, if the defendants fail to perfect the bail conditions within seven days.
The judge ordered the commencement of trial, after the prosecution counsel, Mr Olushesi, confirmed the presence of his witnesses in court.
Meanwhile, Justice Oshodi consequently adjourned the case to June 26 for continuation of trial.
