EFCC arraigns college Bursar over N252.9M scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has docked the bursar of Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe, Anambra State, Michael Ekwunife, before Justice V. Ume of Anambra State High Court on a four count charge bordering on forgery and uttering.
The EFCC says Mr. Ekwunife deducted two hundred million naira (N200, 000, 000) from the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) account of the college, he was also accused of misappropriation of over fifty million naira (N50, 000, 000) unpaid salaries and allowances and unauthorized approval and misappropriation of over two million, nine hundred thousand naira (N2, 900, 000); all totaling two hundred and fifty two million, nine hundred thousand naira only (N252, 900, 000).

A petitioner, who was not named by the anti-graft body, had written to the body alleging 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.

Mr. Ekwunife 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). 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 3^rd, 19^th, 23^rd, and 26^th for accelerated trial.