Alleged N54.3 NEMA fraud: Court fixes date for continuation of trial

An FCT High Court in Maitama on Monday fixed April 14 for continuation in the trial of a Deputy Director of the National Emergency Management Agency, John Umesi, charged with N54.3 million fraud.
Umesi was on October 3, 2019 re-arraigned before Justice Jude Okeke, sitting in Maitama, Abuja by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on an amended 10-count charge bordering on misappropriation of N54.3 million belonging to the agency.
Justice Okeke fixed the date after the EFCC Counsel, Joshua Seidi, prayed for an adjournment.
In granting the application for adjournment, Okeke, said: “It is on record that this is the second adjournment the prosecution will be asking for.
“However, the matter is adjourned until April 14, 2020 for continuation of prosecution case.”
Earlier, Seidi informed the court that two of the prosecutions witnesses were in court.
Seidi, however, was unable to separate the documents sought to be tendered and prayed the court for adjournment to enable him sort out the documents.
The defendant’s counsel, Jeph Njikonye (SAN), however opposed the application for adjournment.
Njikonye questioned the essence of the application since the prosecution’s two witnesses were with their statements.
“If granted, may the court put it down that this was the second adjournment they (prosecution) are asking for since the commencement of trial,” he said.
Testifying, the first prosecution witness, Sunday Micah, who told the court he was posted to NEMA from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation as Director, Fnance and Accounting, said the defendant made a request for N16.1 million on October 7, 2013 for “running expenses”.
Micah alleged that payment voucher for retirement of the advance was raised in different beneficiaries’ names, including some hotels.
NAN reports that Umesi was alleged to have on or about December 30, 2014, while acting as Director, Special Duties, used his position to confer unfair advantage to himself.
The EFCC also alleged that he received the sum of N12.8 million belonging to NEMA for its operation into his personal account with Keystone Bank and fixed same in the account.
EFCC said the defendant earned N309 million interest for his own benefit and thereby committed an offence under Section 19 of Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The NEMA top official was alleged to have in February, 2013, while serving as a Deputy Director in charge of South South Sone and being entrusted with the sum of N7.5 million belonging to NEMA, dishonestly converted same to his own use, among others.
Umesi, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him and was directed by the court to continue to enjoy the N50 million bail he was earlier admitted to when he was first arraigned on February 13.