A defence witness, Mr Emmanuel Dada, has denied receiving part of N14.1 million allegedly diverted from the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) by an ex-permanent secretary.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Dada made the denial on Wednesday while being cross-examined by Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, the lead prosecuting counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), at an Ikeja Special Offences Court.

The former Permanent Secretary, Clement Illoh, was in the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

He is facing corruption charges before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo but he denied committing the offences.

Dada, an employee of the ministry, was shown a letter with the title “Request for Payment to Attend A Two-day Special Maritime Session on The National Labour Advisory Council.”

According to Oyedepo, in a bid to divert funds, Illoh sent the letter to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) requesting for the release of N14.1 million to fund the session which never took place.

The EFCC counsel told the court that, on Jan. 29, 2015, N14.1 million was credited into the account of Clement and Bob Associates (a company belonging to the ex-permanent secretary).

“I did not attend the programme, I am not a member of the National Labour Advisory Council; I never participated in the two-day session.

“I did not receive any money from Clement and Bob Associates, and no services were rendered to me by the company,” Dada testified.

He told the court that Illoh retired in August 2017 and that public servants were not allowed to incorporate personal companies.

NAN reports that Illoh was arraigned on Oct. 16, 2017, by the EFCC on a three-count charge bordering on stealing by conversion of property to the tune of N14.1 million.

The EFCC closed its case against the ex-permanent secretary on May 16, 2018, with four prosecution witnesses testifying.

According to the anti-graft agency, Illoh was responsible for supervising numerous programmes including SURE-P, and allegedly awarded fictitious contracts to himself via his company and friends.

The allegedly diverted SURE-P funds were said to be sourced from NIMASA.

The alleged offences contravene Sections 279 (1), (b) and 285 (6) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011. The court adjourned the case until Feb. 12 for further hearing. (NAN)

– Jan. 30, 2019 @ 15:15 GMT |