N169m Fraud: EFCC Arraigns Ex- Delta Scholarship Board Scribe

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, July 3, 2014 arraigned the former executive secretary of Delta State Scholarship Board, Peter Amromanoh and the chief accountant, Eloho Otiede before Justice C. O Emifoniye of the Delta State High Court, Asaba on a 5-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing. Amromanoh is alleged to have abused his office by approving a sum of N36m (Thirty-Six Million Naira) which is above his official approval limit of N1million. Also, alongside Otiede, they fraudulently paid bursary to “ghost” students.

When the charges were read to them, they pleaded not guilty.

Count five of the charge reads:
“Mr Peter Amromanoh “M” being Executive Secretary of Delta State Scholarship Board sometime between 2008 to 2012 at Asaba in the Asaba judicial Division of the High Court of Delta State, stole the sum of N77, 201, 961.62k (Seventy Seven Million, Two Hundred and One Thousand, Nine Hundred and Sixty One Naira, Sixty Two Kobo) meant for pecuniary resources property of the Delta State Scholarship Board which said sum was fraudulently converted to your own use.”

In view of their plea, prosecuting counsel, Sir Steve Odiase asked for a trial date while defence counsel, A.I Omoaka moved an oral application for bail for the accused persons.

Justice Emifoniye granted the duo bail in the sum of three million naira each and two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be public or civil servants with the state/federal government not less than grade level 10.            

They must own landed property within the jurisdiction of the court. The matter was adjourned to October 29, 2014 for hearing.