The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, March 8, 2017, re-arraigned three directors – Gregory Eriyanremu, Frank Ugen and Harriman Isa Oyofo – before Justice T. O. Uloho of the Delta State High Court sitting in Warri on an amended 5-count charge bordering on stealing.
The trio were arraigned alongside their company, Partsmaster Oil and Gas Limited.
They are alleged to have at different times converted over N100 million meant for payments of contractors who executed contract job for Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) to personal use.
The offence is contrary to Section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Cap. C21, Laws of Delta State of Nigeria 2006.
One of the counts reads:
“Partsmaster Oil and Gas Limited, Gregory Eriyamrernu, Frank Ugen and Harriman Isa Oyofo sometime between June and August 2010 at Warri in the Warri judicial division of the High Court of Delta State, stole the sum of N32,003,488.38 (Thirty two million, three thousand, four hundred and eighty eight Naira, thirty six kobo) being money meant for payment to Ogbo Ode & Co. for contract job executed for Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) by fraudulently converting the said sum to your own use.”
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.
In view of their plea, counsel to EFCC, Kayode Oni, asked the court to fix a date for commencement of trial.
However, counsel to the 2nd defendant, Edorie Lawson Umuzu pleaded with the court to allow the accused persons to continue on the bail conditions granted the accused persons when they were first arraigned, an argument which was also canvassed by the other defence counsel.
Justice Uloho adjourned to April 7, 2017 for trial and ordered the accused persons to continue on the bail earlier granted them by court.