THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Stephen Oshinowo, former executive secretary of Lagos State Scholarship Board, for an alleged 127 million naira fraud.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), he was arraigned on Thursday on an amended eight-count charge brought before Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court sitting in the Ikeja area of Lagos.
In one of the counts, Oshinowo was alleged to have converted the sum of 30 million naira belonging to the state government.
“That you, Stephen Osinowo, sometime in 2018, in Lagos and within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, being a civil servant, dishonourably converted to the use of Oshinowo Adenike the total sum of N30 million (Thirty Million Naira), property of Lagos State Board,” the count read,
“That you, Stephen Oshinowo, between 8th day of February, 2016 and 30th day of December in Lagos and within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, being the Secretary of Lagos State Scholarship Board, dishonestly converted to your own use, through Julikam International Limited, the sum of N39, 934,919 (Thirty -nine Million Nine Hundred and Thirty-four Thousand Nine Hundred and Nineteen Naira) property of Lagos State Board,” another count read.
READ ALSO: Hijab controversy: 10 schools to remain shut over protest in Kwara
The EFFC said its investigation showed that Oshinowo, at various times, allegedly diverted, to his personal use, the sum of 127.164 million naira meant for the board.
The charge was read to the defendant and he pleaded “not guilty.”
In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Usman Buhari, asked the court for a trial date and prayed that the defendant be remanded.
The defence counsel, Lawal Pedro, on his part, urged the court to grant a short adjournment to enable it hear the bail application of his client.
The judge thereafter adjourned until Friday for the hearing of the bail application and ordered that the defendant be remanded in the EFCC custody.
You can reach out to me on Twitter via: vincent_ufuoma