Press Release
The Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission, EFCC, Thursday, June 6, 2014 arraigned the Finance Controller of
Lonestar Drilling Nigeria Limited, John Adet Esiegbuya, before Justice Lambo
Akanbi of the Federal High Court, Port
Harcourt on an 8-count charge bordering on conspiracy,
stealing, forgery and obtaining money under false pretence.
The accused, sometime in July,
2010, allegedly forged documents and signature of the Managing Director, Lonestar
Drilling Nigeria Limited and defrauded the company of Three Hundred Thousand US
Dollars ($300,000.00); which he allegedly transferred to the account of another
company, Combo Limited, purportedly promoted to conceal the fraud.
The accused pleaded not guilty to
all the charges preferred against him.
One of the counts reads, “that you
John Adet Esiegbuya, on or about the 27th day of July, 2010 at Port
Harcourt, within the Jurisdiction of this honourable court did steal the sum of
Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300, 000) property of Lonestar Drilling
Nigeria Limited contrary to section 383(2) (a) of the Criminal Code Act Cap C38
of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) 2007 and punishable
under section 390 (9) of the same Act.
Another count reads, “that you John Adet Esiegbuya on or about the
28th day of July, 2010 at Port Harcourt, within the Jurisdiction of this
honourable court did forge a Compro Limited letter addressed to Diamond
Bank Plc with invoice dated 19th July,2010 in respect of
‘Consultancy Services rendered IRO LSO rigs 203 and 204’ and thereby committed
an offence contrary to the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17 Revised
Edition(Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) 2007 and punishable under section
1(2) of the same Act”.
In view of his plea, prosecuting
counsel, A. Olatunji prayed the court for a date for commencement of trial. The
defence counsel, Kola Olapoju however urged the court to grant the accused
bail.
Justice Akanbi granted the accused
bail in the sum of Two Million (N2, 000,000.00) Naira with two sureties in like
sum. One of the sureties must be a GL. 14 Officer in either the Federal or the
State Civil Service while his counsel stands as the second surety.
The matter was adjourned till October 8, 2014 for trial.
Wilson
Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
6th June, 2014
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