Alleged N220m Contract Scam: EFCC Arraigns Saraki’s Cousin

Ope Saraki, a Cousin of the immediate past President of the Nigerian Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki has been arraigned by the Ilorin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission  (EFCC) on two count charges bordering on contract scam of N220m before Justice Adenike Akinpelu of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin.

The anti-graft agency alleged that the defendant, while serving as Special Adviser to the Kwara State Government on Millennium Development Goals (MDG), knowingly acquired a contract worth N171,990,000.00 for the supply of 13 Ambulances to General Hospitals in Kwara State into a company in which he had an interest.

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When the two-count charges were read to him, Saraki pleaded not guilty and the prosecuting Counsel, Sesan Ola prayed the Court for a trial date that in view of the plea of the defendant.

He also asked that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS) pending the hearing and determination of the case”.

But defense counsel, Dr N Olatoke, however, urged the Court to grant bail to his client pending the hearing and determination of the case stating that Saraki would not jump bail as his international passport had been in the custody of the EFCC.

Justice Akinpelu, in her ruling, granted bail in the sum of N300, 000, 000 to the accused person and also said that the defendant must produce two sureties with verifiable addresses.

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She also ruled that Saraki should remain in the custody of the EFCC until he perfects his bail conditions and adjourned further hearing on the case till April 16, 2020.

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