An Abuja High Court, Maitama, on Friday remanded Mrs. Philomena Chieshe and five other officials of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for their involvement in the missing N35 million from sale of JAMB e-card in Benue.
She was arraigned alongside Messrs Samuel Umoru, Yakubu Jekada, Daniel Agbo, Aliyu Yakubu and Ms Priscilla Ogunsola, and Aliyu Yakubu.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned her and others on eight counts bordering on refusal to account for the board’s money between 2014 and 2016.
Justice Peter Afen ordered that the defendants be remanded in the custody of EFCC, pending the outcome of their bail application.
He then adjourned until Monday June 3, 2019 for the hearing of their bail application.
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EFCC alleged that Chieshe, sales clerk, with JAMB told their registrar and his team that she could not account for N36 million she made in previous years before the abolition of scratch cards.
They alleged that she claimed that the money was swallowed by a snake in Makurdi, Benue.
According to EFCC in February 2018, Chieshe told JAMB registrar and his team that she could not account for N36 million she made in previous years before the abolition of scratch cards.
She alleged that it was her housemaid that connived with another JAMB staff, to “spiritually” (through a snake) steal the money from the vault in the accounts office.
EFCC said the offence contravenes section 139 (a) of the Penal Code Law.
They pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
The prosecuting counsel, Mr. Ekene Iheanacho prayed the court to fix a date for commencement of trial and to remand the defendants in jail.
Iheanacho also admitted receipt of the bail applications filed by counsel for the defendants.
However, he said he had no yet read through because he was served today.
