N25bn Scam: Court Convicts Michael Igbinedion, Younger Brother Of Ex- Edo Governor

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Thursday, April 30th, 2015

By Ignatius Okpara – A Federal High Court sitting in Benin city, Edo State, presided over by Justice Liman, has convicted Michael Igbinedion, a younger brother to ex- governor of the state Lucky Igbinedion, and one Charles Eboigbodin for money laundry.

The convicts alongside their companies; namely, Gava Corporation Limited; Romrig Nigeria Limited; PML Securities Company Limited and PML Nigeria Limited, were prosecuted on an 81-count charge of money laundering, misappropriation of funds and abuse of office brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

African Examiner reports that the duo had pleaded not guilty when they were arraigned, setting the stage for a full trail.

However, during the trial, the prosecution called several witnesses to prove its case.

One of the witness, Mr. Ajoyo Sowale, an Accounts Officer with the Guaranty Trust Bank, identified various account statements and account opening documents of the convicts and confirmed to the court that several lodgements were made into the accounts, adding that he printed the account statements and got them certified by the appropriate authority.

The parties adopted their written addressed on November14, 2014 , while judgment was fixed for December 1,2014.

But series of adjournments of the case had delayed the delivery of the judgement till today, April 29, 2015.

Delivering his judgement, justice Liman, found the two accused persons guilty on some of the counts charges.

The judge convicted Eboigbodin for money laundering on counts 50-59, while Igbinedion was found guilty as charged on counts 79-81.

Justice Liman, however deferred the sentencing of the convicts till tomorrow April 30, 2015.