The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday re-arraigned two companies and three of its directors on an eight count charge of fraudulently obtaining N789,648,329.25 from the Federal Government as subsidy under the Petroleum Support Fund
The accused who were re-arraigned before Justice Lateefa Okunnu of the Lagos High Court were Downstream Energy Sources Limited, Alhaji Adamu Aliyu Maula, Rocky Energy Limited, George Ogbonna and Emmanuel Morah.
The accused allegedly obtained the sum from the Federal Government by falsely claiming that it represented subsidy accrued from the importation of 142,730,227 litres of Premium Motor Spirit.
They were alleged to have at various times fraudulently forged different bill of lading for Premium Motor Spirit not supplied, in a bid to claim the Federal Government’s subsidy on fuel.
After listening to the charges read to them, the defendants pleaded not guilty, a development which prompted the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, to ask that they be admitted on their previous bail conditions already granted by Justice Habiru.
Jacobs also asked for an accelerated trial so that the case can be concluded in good time.
Justice Okunnu granted the prayers of Jacobs and admitted the defendants to bail on the previous bail terms offered them by the former trial judge.
She also adjourned the case till May 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 2013 for trial.
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