Alleged Fraud: UNICAL ex-bursar docked, wife declared wanted

A Federal High Court in Calabar presided over by I.E .Ekwo on Monday granted bail to an ex-bursar of the University of Calabar, Peter Agi.

He was granted bail in the sum of N20 million.

The bail condition also includes providing a civil servant on level 14 and above as surety. The surety is expected to present a certified Certificate of Occupancy for landed property worth N20 million and with evidence of tax clearance.

The judge, while ordering Mr Agi to surrender his travelling documents to the court, also issued a bench warrant for the arrest and arraignment in court of his co-accused (his wife) who is alleged to be at large.

The former bursar is to remain in prison custody pending when the bail conditions are met.

Mr Agi, who was arraigned on seven count charge in suit No FHC/CA/CR/03 2018 is alleged to have used his official position as bursar to defraud the university of various sums by transferring same to his wife, Isioma Agi, and other fictitious persons’ account thereby committing an offence punishable under Section (1)(2)(b) of Miscellaneous Offences Act

He is alleged to have defrauded the university to the tune of N7 million by transferring same to his wife’s account.

According to the charge sheet obtained by our reporter, between August 2014 and July 2016, he allegedly transferred N7.3 million through account number 3080827987 domiciled with First Bank of Nigeria to Isioma Sarah Agi (his wife) thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 1(2)(b) of Miscellaneous Offences Acts

He was also alleged to have unlawfully transferred N17.5 million to various fictitious accounts which contravene the 2011 Money Laundering Act.

“That you, Peter Amama Agi, between January 2014 and November 2016 built a house at 8 Miles valued at over N200 million which is in excess of your total emoluments from January 2011 to November 2016 earned from your employment from the University of Calabar and when confronted with it, you claimed it belonged to your 11 year old child thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 15(11) of the Corrupt practices and other Related Offences Act,” the charge sheet noted.

He is accused of building a house in Calabar and his village worth N200 million and N100 million naira respectively, which is said to be above his verifiable sources of income.

The matter was adjourned to October 6,7 and 8 for continuation.