Former Minister of Interior, Emmanuel Ihenacho

Four members of the Presidential Committee on Fuel Subsidy Verification, who allegedly received gratification from a company owned by the former Minister of Interior, Emmanuel Ihenacho - Integrated Oil and Gas Limited - Wednesday appeared in court on a three-count charge.

The Presidential Committee on Fuel Subsidy Verification was headed by the Managing Director/CEO of Access Bank Plc, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede. 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee members were arraigned at a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, along with three executives of the oil company, who allegedly offered them N1.5 million as gratification.

The committee members are: Buhari Ganiyu (37), Alalade Abioye (30), Oni Oluwanishola (34) and Chukwujekwu Akabueze, whose age was not stated. Alalade and Akabueze are women.

Those from Integrated oil and gas are the Managing Director, Anthony Ihenacho, 57; Assistant General Manager, Humphrey Nwosu, 44; and Financial Controller, Akinwusi Julius, 50.

All the defendants are standing trial for alleged conspiracy, offering and receiving of gratification.

They, however, pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, SP Asuquo Effiong, said the company executives, had on August 30 at the company’s office at Marine Road, Apapa, given the money to the committee as gratification.

He said that the committee members were being prosecuted for receiving the money in order to refrain from exercising their duties according to the rules.

Effiong said the offences contravened Sections 409, 64, and 63 (1)(a)(b) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

The magistrate, Mr Martins Owumi, earlier turned down their bail application on personal recognition, and later granted each of them bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum. He adjourned the case till November 10 for further hearing.