Two INEC staff “receive N131m to influence 2015 election in Enugu”, arraigned in court
The EFCC on Wednesday arraigned two former senior staff of Enugu State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Bar. Amadi Simon, a former Deputy Director and Nathan Owhor Oviri, an Administrative Secretary.
Simon and Oviri were arraigned before Justice Liman of the Federal High Court, Enugu on a 16-count charge of conspiracy and money laundering to the tune of N131.3m.
They were said to have played respective roles in the disbursements of 2015 presidential election campaign funds to some INEC Staff in Enugu State, on behalf of the then ruling People’s Democratic Party.
The election funds was said to have been from Mrs. Alison Madueke, the former Minister of Petroleum under Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
Simon and Oviri were said to have made cash payments to an individual exceeding the authorized amount and limit required by law, without passing it through a financial institution.
The sum of $27m was said to have been released which allegedly formed part of the state PDP Campaign funds.
The money was said to have been disbursed by some party chieftains in the state to all supervising returning officers of INEC at a hotel at New Heaven, Enugu.
The INEC officials were expected to share the money among other staff in all the local government areas of the state.
Simon and Oviri pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Judge granted them bail in the sum of N5m each and one surety in like sum.
Justice Liman stated that failure to meet the bail conditions, they should be re-arrested and be remanded in prison custody. He adjourned continuation of trial to October 10, 2018.
