Two BEDC staff docked over alleged N38m fraud
The Police in Ondo State have arraigned two staff of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), Adeyinka Oyebode and Samuel Ogunba, for alleged defrauding their employers the sum of N38m.
They were arraigned on fourcount charges bothering on conspiracy, obtaining, fraud, conversion, and stealing
The defendants were accused of forging BEDC electric bills and distributed to customers within Ore Service Unit.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
According to the charge, “That you, Oyebode Adeyinka and Ogunba Samuel, between January and February, 2004, in Ore, Ondo State, while being employed by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) at the Ore Service Unit within the jurisdiction of the honorable court, with intent to defraud, forged BEDC electric bills and distributed same to customers, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Sections 1(2)(c) 35 Cap 17 of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria Act 2004.
“That you, Oyebode Adeyinka and Samuel Ogunba, between January and February 2004, in Ore, Ondo State, while being employed by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) at the Ore service unit within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, by which you forged to obtain money from your employer, BEDC, and its customers in the sum of N38,490,175.81, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 1(1) and Section 1(3) of the Law of the Federation of Nigeria Act 2004.”
Their counsel, O.J. Ifadasi, urged the court to grant his clients bail on the most liberal terms.
Presiding Judge, Justice Alexander Owoeye, granted the defendants bail to the sum of N1m and one surety each in like sum.
The case was adjourned to September 19, 2024, for trial
