Three Ugborhen Community Leaders, Contractor Docked For Alleged Embezzlement Of Funds

* Case Adjourned Till March 28th 2018
Substantive hearing in the case involving the Commissioner of Police versus Festus Akume, Friday Dedepamu Okokoro, Francis Osharejivwie and Joseph Chinedu Ugbo, in a case of alleged fraud in Ugborhen Community in Sapele Local Government Area has been adjourned till March 28, 2018 in the Sapele Magistrate court.
The police in Sapele earlier arraigned three Ugborhen community leaders and a contractor before the Sapele Magistrate court, in the Sapele Magisterial District for alleged conspiracy to commit felony to wit: embezzlement of public fund and corruptly enriching themselves with Ugborhen community fund between 2011 and 2012.
The suspects, now facing a five-point charge are Mr. Festus Akume (57), a community leader, Friday Dedepamu Okokoro (35), Francis Osharejivwie (53) and Mr.Joseph Chinedu Ugbo (40), a contractor to the Ugborhen community in Sapele.
According to the police charge sheet, MS/23/2018, the four suspects within Sapele Magisterial District, in count one did conspire among themselves to commit felony to wit, embezzlement of public funds and corruptly enriching themselves and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 16 of the criminal Code Law, Cap C21, Vol 1,
Law of Delta State of Nigeria, 2006.
In count two, that Festus Akume “m” leader and “m” a contractor of Ugborhen Community within Magisterial District between 2011 and 2012 corruptly obtained the sum of nine million, eight hundred and sixteen thousand, five hundred naira (N9,816,500) from Seplat Petroleum for
purpose of installation of a transformer and street light for the community which they diverted to their own use and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 16 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap C21, Vol 1 Law of Delta State of Nigeria, 2016.
Joseph Chinedu Ugbo between 2011 and 2012 within Sapele Magisterial District, in count three is facing a charge of allegedly fraudulently converting the sum of Nine Million, Eight Hundred and Sixteen Thousand Five Hundred Naira (N9,826,500,00) meant for the purpose and
installation of transformer and street light in Ugborhen Community Sapele local government without any authority, thereby committed an offence punishable under section 98 (B) of the criminal code Law, Cap C21 Vol, 1 Laws of Delta State of Nigeria 2006.
On count four, Mr. Friday Dedepamo Okokoro, “M” on or about year 2011 at Sapele within Sapele Magisterial District, did corruptly obtain the sum of four million, two hundred and sixty thousand Naira (N4,260,000.00) from Seplat Petroleum Company for the construction of the drainage phase 2 which he diverted to his own use and did not construct the drainage and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 98(B) of Criminal code law, Cap C21 Vol,1 Laws of Delta State of Nigeria 2006.
Similarly in count five, Mr. Festus Akume “m” and Mr. Francis Osharejivwie “m” and Joseph Chinedu Ugbo “m” at the same date and place within the aforementioned magisterial district, particularly, Prince Alfred Awe “m” and Sunday Otumu “m” if they dare ask any question concerning money collected from Seplat Petroleum Company for execution of projects at Ugborhen community, thereby committed an offence punishable under section 86(1) of the criminal code law Cap C21 Laws of Delta State of Nigeria.
The case was later adjourned till 28th of March 2018 on the plea of the counsel to the respondents since their witnesses were not in the court to testify.

By John Onos