Delta Scholarship Board scribe siphoned N169m – EFCC witness

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EFCC Operatives
The trial of the Executive Secretary of Delta State Scholarship Board, Peter Amromanoh and his accountant, Andrew Boji Nkwor continued on Wednesday, 3 February with a prosecution witness telling Justice F. N. Azinge of the Delta State High Court sitting in Asaba, that the accused persons exceeded their approval limit.
The accused persons are being prosecuted by the EFCC on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing.
Nkwor is alleged to have abused his office and, in connivance with Amromanoh, stole over N36 million meant for the payment of bursary to Delta State students studying in various institutions of higher learning including payment of bursary to “ghost” students.
Under cross-examination, Joy Ochonu-Idoko, an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, insisted that withdrawals were made from the board’s account by the 2nd accused, Nkwor, in the name of the 1st accused, Amromanoh, and brought to the Delta State scholarship board office.
According to him, when the accused person, Nkwor was asked about what the withdrawals were meant for, he claimed it was monies for payment of contractors.
The witness also told the court that the board secretary who is the first accused is the bursary approving authority.
Documents showing financial transactions from Fidelity and UBA bank accounts were tendered, and admitted as exhibits.
However, the defence counsel, Chief A. P. A. Ogiefere, in a bid to contradict the witness, asked for a proof with instruments such as vouchers and cheques.
He also sought to tender a copy of a payment voucher for the purchase of a utility vehicle by the board, citing this as the standard procedure adopted by the board.
Odiase, however, opposed the tendering of the document on the ground that, it did not meet the proper certification for public documents for evidence as provided by Section 104 of the Evidence Act 2011.
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Source:: PM Newspaper