The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday has arraigned Dr. Tersoo Loko, former Chairman of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission, BSIEC, alongside ten others, over alleged fraud totaling N1.1 billion.
The Makurdi Zonal Directorate of the EFCC told the Federal High Court in Makurdi that the accused face 30-count charges relating to the criminal misappropriation of public funds and money laundering.
Prosecution counsel M.S. Yusuf listed the other accused as Kuleve Terlumun, Mtomga Manasseh, Ugbede Denen, Tatyough Thaddeus, Angwa Dominic, Uwua Igbawua, Adese Asom Orkuma Emmanuel, Owoicho Odeh, and Mhir Iyenge.
Yusuf stated that the complainant alleged that while in office, the former BSIEC chairman misappropriated and diverted funds intended for the 2020 and 2022 local government elections, amounting to N1.6 billion.
According to the complaint, only N565 million of the total was used for the elections, leaving N1.1 billion unaccounted for.
The prosecution further said that in 2020, Dr. Loko personally received N118 million in cash from the commission, which was recorded as a legitimate payment but allegedly diverted for personal use.
Again, in 2022, he reportedly received N110.9 million in cash from the commission, similarly recorded and allegedly misused.
Yusuf explained that these actions contravened Section 5(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, as amended in 2012, and are punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.
When the case was called for mention, the accused pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Yusuf then requested a hearing date to enable the prosecution to present its evidence.
Justice M.S. Abubakar granted bail of N50 million each for the defendants, with one surety in the same amount.
The judge stipulated that the sureties must possess valid international passports and that each defendant should deposit their passport with the court registrar.
The court remanded the defendants pending the perfection of their bail and adjourned the case to April 24 for hearing.
NAN
