EFCC arrests officials of Nigerian research institute over N192mn fraud

The officials are accused of financial impropriety amounting to N192. 5 million.

The top management executives of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, IAR&T, Ibadan were arrested by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday morning.


The officials arrested include the institute’s Executive Director, Benjamin Ogunmodede; Chief Accountant, Z. K.Tejumola; and Cashier, Kunle Ojo; another accountant, C. A. Adenose, escaped arrest.

Sources said the EFCC officials arrived at the work premises of the institute as early as 6 a.m. to arrest the executives but eventually had to apprehend them at their official residences. The arrested executives were brought to the work premises of the institute before they were eventually taken to Lagos from where they may be moved to Abuja.

Workers at the institute had squared up with the management over allegations of financial impropriety amounting to N192. 5 million leveled against their overall boss, Mr. Ogunmodede. The workers who have been on strike for the past ten months are pressing for his removal as the institute’s executive director.
Fifteen union leaders at the institute were arraigned before an Ibadan Chief Magistrate Court, last week on a four-count charge related to the strike action at the institute.

The arraigned unionists are Femi Oladeinde, Abrahan Ogunsola, Adegboyega Bola, Funmilayo Oladunsi, Ande Olufunlayo, Olapade Olawale, Osadiya Adewunmi and Anthony Ilufoye. They also include Michael Ojo Akande,Josephine Tokede, Oladiji Babatunde Mukaila, Fasasi David, Timothy Adeniyi, Bamidele Omotayo and Ibiloye John Olufemi.

The presiding Chief Magistrate, O.A. Adetujoye, granted each of them bail in the sum of N50, 000.00 and a surety while she adjourned the case till May 21 and 22.



Source: Premium Times