BY AGNES NWORIE, ABAKALIKI
The cashier of Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Francis Ewa-Ibiam, has been arraigned before a Magistrate’s court sitting in Abakaliki for allegedly stealing public funds.
Also arraigned with him was a woman, Patricia Orieoma Oko.
The police accused the duo of stealing N12, 675,000.00 meant for workers’ imprest and other monthly payments on March 23, 2022 at number 4B, Ogoja road, Abakaliki.
The charge read, “That you Ewa Francis Ibiam, Oko Patricia Orieoma and others now at large on March 23, 2022 at number 4B Ogoja road in the Abakaliki Magisterial district did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: stealing and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 516A(a) of the criminal code cap 33 volume 1 laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.
“That you Ewa Francis Ibiam, Oko Patricia Orieoma and others now at large on the same date and place in the aforementioned Magisterial district did steal the sum of twelve million, six hundred and seventy five thousand naira (N12, 675,000.00) property of Ivo LGA of Ebonyi State and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 390(5) (9) of the criminal code cap 33 volume 1 laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.”
Ewa-Ibiam and Oko pleaded not guilty to the charges and their defense counsel, S. E. Eleke applied for their bail in most liberal terms.
The trial Magistrate, Ifedi Nwangbo granted them bail in the sum of N500, 000 with one reliable surety each in like sum.
Nwangbo ordered that the sureties must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court and that they must deposit an affidavit of means with the court and their contact addresses as well as phone numbers to be properly verified.
The matter was adjourned till May 27 for hearing.
