N36m Snake: EFCC quizzes JAMB worker, coordinator
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has commenced interrogation into the case of the JAMB official based in Makurdi, Philomina Chieshe, who claimed that a snake swallowed N36m.
The “swallowed” sum was part of the proceeds of the sale of scratch cards.
It was revealed that the money was collected in installments from her by her Coordinator, Mr. Samuel Umoru
The act was perpetrated before the advent of The Treasury Single Accounts(TSA) at the time, JAMB officials keep the proceeds of the sale of cards in unauthorised bank accounts which led to the loss of billions of naira.
According to a statement, Cheishe claimed that she had been warning Umaru that it was improper to use the money for miscellaneous expenses in the office or for private purposes but he would not listen.
The suspect also claimed that Umoru was in the habit of drawing IOUs from the proceeds of the sale of the cards without reimbursing her.
Some of the withdrawals which she claimed were at the behest of the coordinator included the N340,000 withdrawn on May 5 and 26, 2014 with an ATM card.
She also disclosed that she used her ATM card to withdraw N120,000 for the coordinator between June 17 and 18, 2014.
Chieshe added, “He instructed me to withdraw the sum of N640,000 using my card between June 30, 2014 and July 7, 2014.”
It was learnt that Umaru had also been arrested and questioned about claims by Chieshe.
He was, however, released on administrative bail.
An EFCC source said, “The interesting aspect of the disclosure is that Chieshe’s statement was obtained long before the snake and naira swallowing testimony became public knowledge.
“She was first quizzed on February 16, 2017 and made additional statements on April 7, 2017 , May 30, 2017 and June 28, 2017.
“In all her statements before the EFCC, there was no mention of any episode of any snake and the disappearance of monies in her care.”
