The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has tendered two sets of documents in the prosecution of Dr. Shaibu Sani Teidi and two others who are being tried for a N2billion check-off dues fraud at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The two others, who are being prosecuted for defrauding the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, (NUP), are Ali Abatcha and Elder Actor Zal.
Two prosecution witnesses, Mr. Njoku Everest, Assistant General Secretary of the Union and Mr. Chikezie Aguocha, an official of First Bank of Nigeria, PLC were led in evidence by Emmanuel Nonso Egwuagu at the resumed hearing of the case.
While Everest tendered documents concerning total expenditure that was incurred by the union, based on the money that came into the Union’s account between April 2008 to March 2011, Aguocha, who was subpoenaed on May 10, 2012, also produced seven documents which included statement of account of the NUP domiciled at the Garki branch of the bank and the statement of account from the date it was opened to December 31st , 2011 as requested.
Other documents submitted are the account opening forms, mandate cards and reference forms and account update form. The payment instruction/instrument of the account within the stated period was also tendered before the court, was
Dr. Shuaibu Sani Teidi, Alhaji Ali Abatcha and Elder Actor Zal were alleged to have, at various times, between 2008 and 2011 conspired to defraud, obtained from the Pensions Department, Office of the Head of Service of the Federation of Nigeria, various sums in the aggregate amount of over Two Billion Naira.
Dr. Teidi, while in the Pensions Department, Office of the Head of Service of the Federation of Nigeria, allegedly used his position to over pay the Check-Off Dues to the NUP which in turn returned the excess payment to Dr. Teidi.
In the proof of evidence presented before the court, Elder Zal had in his confessional statement to EFCC alleged that various sums of money were paid to Dr. Shuaibu. Zal said the NUP received N60, 958, 850.48 on April 23rd, 2009. Of the amount, N20 million was allegedly given to Dr. Shuaibu as kick back.
On August 14, 2009, N65, 500, 650 was received as check off dues and Dr. Teidi allegedly got N20 million as kick back.
He also said that of the N2, 290, 593, 322.95 that fraudulently accrued to NUP in the period of 2008 and 2011, N245, 000,000 was allegedly given to Dr. Teidi as kick back.
According to Zal, the reason Dr. Teidi gave for his demand was for onward distribution to the Permanent Secretary, Head of Service, Accountant-general office, National Assembly and EFCC to facilitate smooth payment of monthly pensions to the pensioners.
After cross-examination of the prosecution witness by the defence counsels, the presiding judge, Justice Adamu Bello, adjourned the case till October 16, 2012.