Justice
O. Efreti Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State
gave the order after Fidelia was arraigned on a two- count amended
charge of conspiracy and money laundering by the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Fidelia was docked for allegedly collecting the sum of N112,
480,000.00 (One Hundred and Twelve Million, Four Hundred and Eighty
Thousand Naira), as a bribe during the weeks leading to the 2015
Presidential election.
She
was among the over 100 INEC Officials that allegedly collected part of
the $115million (N23bn) disbursed by a former Minister of Petroleum
Resources, Diezani Alison- Madueke, during the countdown to the 2015
presidential election.
Omoile was
arrested on 11 April, 2016 following intelligence received by the EFCC
on the activities of some INEC Staff, who allegedly connived with some
Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), in defrauding the Federal
Government of huge sums of money, running into millions of Naira.
Count
one of the charge read: “That you Fidelia Omoile on or about the month
of March, 2015 at Asaba within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court
did conspire among yourselves to receive cash payment in the sum of N
112,480,000.00 (One Hundred and Twelve Million, Four Hindered and Eighty
Thousand Naira only) exceeding the statutory limit without going
through a financial institution and thereby committed an offence
contrary to Section 18 (a) of the Money laundering (Prohibition) Act
2012 as amended and punishable under Section 15 (3) and (4) of the same
Act”.
Count
two of the charge read: “That you Fidelia Omoile on or about the month
of March, 2015 at Asaba within the jurisdiction of this Honourable
Court did receive cash payment in the sum of N112,480,000.00 (One
Hundred and Twelve Million, Four Hindered and Eighty Thousand Naira
only) exceeding the statutory limit without going through a financial
institution and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (a)
of the Money laundering ( Prohibition) Act 2012 as amended and
punishable under Section 16 (b) and (4) of the same Act”.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to her.
In view of
her plea, prosecution counsel, Sadiq Hussaini, asked for a trial date
and that the defendant be remanded in prison custody.
However, counsel to the defendant, K. O Obamogie, made an oral
application for bail of his client and urged the court to grant his
prayers. Hussaini opposed his prayers.
In his ruling, Justice Abang turned down the defendant’s application for bail, directing that the application be filed formally.
He also adjourned the matter till 6 June, 2017 for hearing,
He ordered the defendant to be remanded in prison custody pending the determination of her bail.
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