The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned a former chairman of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC), Tersoo Loko, alongside 10 others, over an alleged N1.1 billion fraud linked to funds released for local government elections in the state.
Loko and the other defendants — Kuleve Terlumun, Mtomga Manasseh, Ugbede Denen, Tatyough Thaddeus, Angwa Dominic, Uwua Igbawua, Adese Asom, Orkuma Emmanuel, Owoicho Odeh, and Mhir Iyenge — were docked before the Federal High Court in Makurdi on a 30-count charge bordering on criminal misappropriation of public funds and money laundering.
EFCC counsel, M.S. Yusuf, told the court that the defendants allegedly diverted funds released for the conduct of the 2020 and 2022 local government elections in Benue State.
According to the prosecution, BSIEC received a total of N1.6 billion for the two elections, but only N565 million was reportedly utilised for the exercise, leaving about N1.1 billion unaccounted for.
Yusuf alleged that while serving as BSIEC chairman, Loko personally received several cash payments from the commission, which were allegedly diverted for private use.
He said Loko allegedly collected N118 million in cash in 2020 and another N110.9 million in 2022, both documented as payments made to him by the commission.
The prosecution added that the alleged offences contravene provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended).
All the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read in court.
Following their pleas, the EFCC requested a trial date to enable the prosecution to open its case.
In his ruling, the presiding judge, Justice M.S. Abubakar, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N50 million each, with one surety in like sum.
The judge ordered that the sureties must possess valid international passports, which are to be deposited with the court registrar.
He adjourned the matter to April 24 for commencement of hearing and ordered that the defendants be remanded pending the perfection of their bail conditions.
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