The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has docked a College of Education bursar at an Anambra State High Court on a four count charge bordering on forgery and uttering. He was arraigned before Justice V.M Ume.
The suspect: Mr. Michael Ekwunife, bursar of Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe, Anambra State was alleged to have deducted the sum of two hundred million naira (N200,000,000:00) from the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) account of the college; misappropriation of over fifty million naira (N50,000,000:00) unpaid salaries and allowances and unauthorized approval and misappropriation of over two million, nine hundred thousand naira (N2, 900,000:00); all totalling two hundred and fifty two million, nine hundred thousand naira only( N252, 900,000.00k).
Ekwunife’s petitioner alleged that the suspect was involved in reckless expenditure of scarce funds, misappropriation of retired officers’ salaries and allowances since May 2000, forgery of educational and birth certificates of some members of staff, inflation of hotel bills of the interim provost, and unilateral approval of funds by the Provost.
The suspect pleaded not guilty to the four count charge preferred against him and a bail application was filed accordingly.
Justice Ume after hearing the bail application, granted the suspect bail in the sum of two hundred thousand naira only (N200,000:00k). He must also produce a surety resident in Anambra State with three years tax clearance and must surrender his international passport to the court.
The judge adjourned the case to May 3rd , 19th, 23rd, and 26th for accelerated trial.
