Kogi: Former SSA arraigned over N151m misappropriation

Usman who was arraigned on Friday was said to have committed the offence between June and December, 2015 while he functioned as the representative of all Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) appointed by former Governor Idris Wada. According to the prosecuting counsel, Mohammed Abaji Esq. of the state Ministry of Justice, the accused was entrusted “with dominion of the sum of N151.025 million” which he allegedly misappropriated. Abaji said the Usman committed the offence along with others currently at large and prayed the court to take cognizance of a three-count charge of “Criminal Conspiracy, Criminal Breach of Trust and Criminal Misappropriation” against the accused. The charges, according to him, are contrary to sections 97(1), 309 and 315 of the Penal Code law adding that the relevant authorities have completed investigation into the case. Counsel to the accused, Matthew Akubo however, orally applied for bail of his client pursuant to section 36(5) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and section 341(2) of rhe Criminal Procedure Code (CPC). Abaji, who had earlier asked that the accused be remanded in Federal Prisons, Koton-Karfe, vehemently opposed the bail application saying that the accused was not ordinarily entitled to bail. “The offences cumulatively carry 16 years imprisonment. We urge the court not to grant the oral application considering the volume of the amount involved. There is the tendency that the accused will elope justice”, he added. In his ruling on the matter, the Chief Magistrate, Levi Animoku said the offences alleged against the accused were triable by the court and were “equally bailable whether ordinarily or otherwise. “The law presumes him innocent irrespective of the volume of the amount involved. Bail is not a discharge neither is it an acquittal. “The essence of bail is to enable the accused person prepare for his case while he enjoys temporal freedom pending his acquittal or conviction”, he said. Animoku, therefore, released the accused on bail in the sum of N1million with a reliable surety in like sum adding that the surety must be a civil servant not below Grade Level 15 with landed property in Lokoja. He adjourned the case to 9th November, for mention.]]>