Two other defendants, Garba Umar and Ubong Effiok were also granted bail in the sum of N50 million each and two sureties in like sum.

Justice Taiwo Taiwo admitted them to bail and released them to their counsels citing the Coronavirus pandemic as the reason for releasing them to their counsel.

The judge said that in view of the pandemic, he could not endanger the lives of the defendants by remanding them, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC custody.

He, however, warned that the defendants must report to the EFCC office everyday between 10 a.m. and 12 noon for seven days pending when they would perfect their bail conditions.

According to the judge, if the bail conditions were not perfected after seven days, they would be remanded in EFCC custody.

Other conditions of the bail include that one of the sureties must be a civil servant on Grade Level 17 in  Federal Government ministry, parastatal or agency.

“The surety must be resident in Abuja and own property worth N100 million.

“The other surety where not a civil servant must be gainfully employed and depose to an affidavit of means.”

For Umar and Effiok, one of their surety must be resident in Abuja and own property worth N50 million.

The defendants are all expected to deposit their international passports with the registrar of the court.

The judge adjourned until May 27, May 28 and June 2, June 3 and June 4.

Oyo-Ita and eight others were arraigned by the EFCC on an 18-count charge bordering on money laundering and breach of public trust.

She was arraigned alongside Frontline Ace Global Services Limited; Asanaya Projects Limited; Garba Umar; Slopes International Limited; Gooddeal Investments Limited; Ubong  Effiok; U & U Global Services Limited and Prince Mega Logistics Limited.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charges while a “not guilty” plea was entered for the companies.

They were arraigned for fraud in relation to Duty Tour Allowances, DTA; estacodes, conference fees fraud and receiving kick-backs on contracts.

The EFCC particularly accused the former head of service of colluding with Effiok and one Titus Tomsin to make bogus claims of fictitious DTA, estacodes and conference fees which were paid by government to their accounts.

Mr Paul Erokoro (SAN), counsel to Oyo-Ita informed the court that he had filed an application for bail and pleaded with the court to hear the application even though he had only just served the prosecution.

“In view of the situation in the world today where there is a clear and present danger of threat to life under congested conditions, I wish to plead that we take the application today or that I be allowed to make an oral application for bail,” Erokoro pleaded.

The prosecuting counsel, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, confirmed that he had been served with the applications for bail.

Abubakar said that even though he appreciated the fact that the country was going through a trying period, measures such as social distancing had been put in place to check it.

He, however, acknowledged that bail was at the discretion of the court but urged that should the court be mindful to grant bail, it should impose stringent measures.

Earlier, the judge announced that in view of the Coronavirus pandemic, the court would entertain only cases dealing with applications for bail and breech of fundamental rights where the defendants were incarcerated.

Source: NAN

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Mr Olusegun Adekunle, Permanent Secretary (General Services Office) office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, made this known in a statement issued on Friday.

The statement reads in part: “His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, President, Federal Republic of Nigeria has approved the retirement of Mrs. Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita from the Federal Civil Service with effect from Thursday, 27th February, 2020.

“In approving the retirement, President Buhari affirmed that it would be without prejudice to the ongoing investigations into certain allegations against the immediate past Head of the HOCSF.”

“President, however, thanked Oyo-Ita for the invaluable services to the nation and wished her well in all future endeavours.

“Meanwhile, the appointment of Yemi-Esan as the substantive HOCSF takes effect from Friday, 28th February, 2020.”

Until her new appointment, she was the Acting HOCSF, a position she assumed since September 18, 2019.

The president charged the new HOCSF to bring her wealth of experience to bear in the new position so that government could deliver on the priority areas of development already outlined.

He also urged her to make the stabilisation of the Federal Civil Service top most on her agenda.

Source: NAN

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