Oyogist.com has learnt that members of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Port Harcourt has once again Re-arraigned Mr George Turnah, the former Special Adviser to Mr John Abia, former Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Also, two other suspects were arraigned alongside nine companies, before Justice Turaki of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt in Rivers State.
The charges placed against the defendants was in account of obtaining money by false pretense, which sumed up to a total of N2,894,500,000 (Two Billion, Eight Hundred and Ninety-four Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira).
Count 6 of the charge reads: “that you George Turnah Alabh, Uzogor Silas Chidiebere, El-Godams Global Services Ltd., Turnoil and Gas Nigeria Ltd, Kolo Creek Petroleum Dev. Ltd, Celtic Pride Consult and Events Ltd, Yenagoa Mall Ltd, the Incorporated Trustees of Concerned Niger Delta Initiative, Adaka Boro Marine Services Ltd, Sugarland Integrated Farms Nig. Ltd, Geohan Telecommunication Nig. Ltd and others at large, on or about the 24th day of November, 2014, at Port Harcourt, Within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did take possession of the sum of Seven Hundred and Eight Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N708,500,000.00) which you reasonably ought to know that the monies is obtained by a false pretence, from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) purportedly for the purpose of providing quick win jobs for 300 youths and women groups, thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under 15 (3) of the same Act”.
Another count, Count 23 of the charge reads, “that you George Turnah Alabh in 2014 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did receive the sum of $1,000,000.00 (One Million United State Dollars) (at the exchange rate of N184 to a Dollar), and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act”.
The accused pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were leveled against them.The defense counsel of the accused, Professor Amuda Kaneke, asked the court to maintain the bail granted to the defendants, which was granted by the court.
