A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja has ordered that the former Chairman of the Board of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Ngozi Olejeme be remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Maryam Aliyu gave the order on Thursday after Olejeme was arraigned on a nine-count charge in which she was accused of abuse of office and awarding contracts without due process.
Specifically, she was alleged to have received the sum of N22,200,000.00 from a contractor with NSITF into her personal account and another $48,485,127.00, as kickbacks from contractors.
In the bail application, the defense counsel, Paul Erokoro urged the court to grant her bail either on self recognisance or on liberal terms.
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Erokoro said the defendant returned to the country in 2017 on her own volition after she was declared wanted by the EFCC.
Prosecuting lawyer, Steve Odiase said he was not opposed to the defendant being granted bail, but would prefer that she be granted conditional bail, requiring that she produced a surety pending the conclusion of the trial.
Justice Aliyu, therefore adjourned till Friday for ruling on the bail application and ordered that the defendant be kept in the custody of the EFCC
Editor :Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie
