Court Rejects Olejeme’s Application To Travel Abroad For Medicals

Justice Maryam Hassan Aliyu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Jabi Abuja, on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, refused an application filed by a former Chairman of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Dr. Ngozi Olejeme to proceed on an urgent trip abroad for medicals.

Olejeme was arraigned on October 21, 2021, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for allegedly abusing her position to obtain over N1.384bn and $48,485,127.

The offence contravenes the provisions of Sections 8, 9 (1) (b) (1), punishable under the Corrupt Practice and Other Related Offence Act 2000 and Sections 17, (1) (2), 39 of EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004 and punishable under the same section.

At the last sitting, the EFCC through its counsel, Sir Steve Odiase, had informed the court that Olejeme is a flight risk who could use the trip as cover to escape justice.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, presented the fifth prosecution witnesses, in the ongoing trial of Professor Magaji Garba, former Vice Chancellor, Federal University Gusau, before Justice Maryam Hassan Aliyu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Jabi, Abuja on a five count charge, bordering on obtaining money by false pretense and forgery to the tune of over N260m.

The defendant allegedly extorted various sums from a contractor on the pretext of awarding him a N3 billion contract for the perimeter wall fencing of the University.

The offence is contrary to section 1 (1) (a) and punishable under section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offenses Act, 2006.