By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a staff member of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Segun Bode Adedeji, before an Edo State High Court over an alleged N3.2 million salary fraud.
Adedeji was arraigned by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the anti-graft agency before Justice E.G. Adekanmbi on a four-count charge bordering on fraudulent practices involving N3,285,396.
According to the EFCC, investigations revealed that the defendant, while employed by the University of Benin, was allegedly receiving salaries simultaneously from the National Orthopedic Hospital, Benin City, contrary to public service regulations.
The Commission stated that the arraignment followed intelligence gathered by its operatives, which uncovered the alleged double salary payments from the two government institutions.
One of the charges alleged that Adedeji unlawfully benefited from salaries and allowances from both organisations during the period under investigation, resulting in a financial loss to the government.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read before the court. Following his plea, prosecution counsel urged the court to fix a date for trial, while the defence counsel sought bail on behalf of the defendant.
Justice Adekanmbi thereafter adjourned the matter for hearing and ruled on the bail application in accordance with the law.
This forms part of the agencies ongoing efforts to tackle payroll fraud, corruption and other financial crimes within public institutions across the country.