Nigeria’s ex-Minister of State for power, Muhammad Wakil has been ordered to be remanded in prison.
According to Vanguard, a Federal Capital Territory High Court ordered Wakil to remain in prison custody till March 31, 2021 over his alleged involvement in the mismanagement of the N27 billion set aside for the payment of the retirement benefits to staff of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN.
This action followed the two-count charge bordering on corruption and abuse of office slammed on Wakil on Monday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission before Justice S.B.Belgore of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo, Abuja.
Wakil, a former lawmaker, was charged alongside two companies-Corozzeria Nigeria Limited and Pikat Properties Nigeria Limited, for allegedly receiving N148 million as gratification from Bestworth Insurance Brokers Limited out of the N27.1 billion approved outstanding insurance premiums and claims of deceased and incapacitated staff of Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN.
When the charges were read, the defendant pleaded “not guilty.”
Counsel for the prosecution, Benjamin Manji, asked the court to set a date for commencement of trial and for the remand the defendant at a Correctional Centre, pending trial.
However counsel for the defendants, B.C Igwilo SAN, prayed the court to grant bail to the 1st defendant. “My lord, our humble application is for the first defendant to be admitted to bail, “he said
But the prosecution counsel opposed the oral application, while urging the court to order the defendant to file the application formally.
Justice Belgore adjourned the matter till March 31, 2021 for determination of bail application and remanded the defendant in the custody of the EFCC.
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