Edo NMA suspends whitsle blowers over N21.7 million alleged fraud

By Ikhili EBALU, Benin City

A Benin City High Court II has adjourned to November 21, hearing in a case of alleged conspiracy to commit felony, fraudulent false accounting and stealing of about N21.7 million charges against an ex- Edo State Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) chairman, Dr. Emmanuel Ighodaro and three others.

The other accused persons are: Oseremen Gabriel Ogbebor and Anthony Owolabi who were former executive members of the association between 2012 and 2014 when they allegedly committed the offence.

The adjournment followed applications by the defence counsel, Ighodalo Imhamdegbelo (SAN) requesting the EFCC to return the accused evidence it retained in its custody during investigation.

“The evidence is to enable them (defendants) prepare their defence”, Imhamdegbelo said.

Besides, the defence counsel urged the court to compel the anti-graft agency to receive court service at its Benin City office rather than directing bailiffs to its Ibadan office.

The prosecuting counsel, Dr Ben Ubi had urged the court to entertain the application and thereafter proceed to hearing.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had preferred 21-charge against the defendants before Justice Efe Ikpomwonba

The EFCC said the offences were punishable under section 516, section 435(2)C), section 435(2)b), section 390(7) and section 390(9) of the criminal code.

It also said the defendants conspired to make a false entry in the audit report for the accounting year ended August 1st, 2013 and July 31, 2014 of the association.

Honourable Justice Efe Ikponmwonba, the trial judge had on 26th June 2018 dismissed the application by Dr Emmanuel Ighodaro, Dr Gabriel Ogbebor and Dr Anthony Owolabi to quash the 17 count information and statement of offences against them and held that there is a Prima facie case against the applicants. They should therefore stand trial.

The Nigerian Medical Association had earlier suspended the whistleblowers, ( names withheld) ,
from the association for exposing the fraud to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and appointed two of the accused persons into National Executive Committee of the association in 2016.