A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja has remanded six officials of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board officials, over their alleged involvement in the missing N35 million from sales of JAMB e-card in Benue State.The alleged principal suspect, Philomina Chieshe was charged to court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alongside Samuel Umoru, Yakubu Jekada, Daniel Agbo, Priscilla Ogunsola, and Aliyu Yakubu on eight counts bordering on refusal to account for the board’s money between 2014 and 2016.
The Judge, Justice Peter Afen ordered that the defendants be remanded in the custody of EFCC, pending the outcome of their bail application. He then adjourned until Monday June 3, 2019 for the hearing of their bail application.
EFCC alleged that Chieshe, sales clerk, with JAMB told their registrar and his team that she could not account for N36 million she made in previous years before the abolition of scratch cards.
They alleged that she claimed that the money was swallowed by a mysterious snake in Makurdi, Benue State capital.
According to the EFCC, in February 2018, Chieshe told JAMB registrar and his team that she could not account for N36 million she made in previous years before the abolition of scratch cards.
She alleged that it was her housemaid that connived with another JAMB staff, to “spiritually” (through a snake) steal the money from the vault in the accounts office.
EFCC said these contravened section 139 (a) of the Penal Code Law.
The accused however pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
The prosecuting counsel, Ekene Iheanacho, prayed the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial and to remand the defendants in jail.
Iheanacho also admitted receipt of the bail applications filed by lawyers to defendants, but said he hasn’t read through because he was served today, Friday.
