Contract money paid to Saraki's cousin not bribe - Contractor

Date: 2021-06-30

THE trial of a former special assistant to the Kwara State governor on Millennium Development Goals, Ope Saraki, resumed on Tuesday with the third prosecution witness, Dr Adeyeye Abiodun, revealing how the defendant introduced him to Chemiroy Nigeria Limited.

The witness also apoke on how both agreed to refurbish 13 Toyota Hiace buses and converted them to ambulances.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ilorin zonal office, is prosecuting Saraki on two counts bordering on contract scam before Justice Adenike Akinpelu of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin.

Saraki, a cousin to the former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, is being prosecuted by the EFCC for allegedly procuring a contract to the tune of N220m through Chemiroy Nigeria Limited, a company in which he had interest.

The contract involved the purchase of 13 units of ambulances for General/Specialist Hospitals in Kwara State.

The offence, according to the prosecution, is contrary to Section 12 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences, ICPC, Act, 2000.

At the resumed hearing of the case on Tuesday, Adeyeye while being led in evidence by counsel to the EFCC, Sesan Ola, narrated how the job was executed and delivered to Chemiroy Nigeria Limited.

Adeyeye said, "My Lord, I know the defendant. His name is Mr. Ope Saraki. My company bid for a contract for purchase and supply of 13 ambulances for the Kwara State Government, but was later awarded to a company called Chemiroy Nigeria Limited after I had submitted all relevant documents and participated in the bidding process.

"I expressed my disappointment in Mr. Ope Saraki, who happened to be my friend since our university days. The defendant later introduced me to Chemiroy Nigeria Limited and we both agreed that I should equip the 13 purchased Toyota Hiace and convert it to ambulances.

"We agreed to equip one at the sum of N3m. At a point, funds stopped coming from Chemiroy, I now approached Mr Saraki for loan. We finished the job and delivered to Chemiroy. We paid back the loan. While some were paid through bank transfer, some were paid to the defendant in cash."

Under cross-examination by Saraki's counsel, Sulyman Abaya, the witness admitted paying money to the politician, but said "the money was never a bribe or gratification."

Justice Akinpelu adjourned the case till September 23, 2021 for continuation of hearing.

Source

 

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

TETFUND     Idris Amosa Oladipo Saidu     Royal FM     Buari Edun     Bolaji Nagode     Jumoke F. Ajao     Okin Biscuit     Bashirat Bola Bello     Henry Olaosebikan     Dan Iya Of Ilorin     Abdulrahman Onikijipa     Obuh     Senate     Olabimpe Olani     Yusuf Abdulkadir     Ibrahim Abikan     Kabir Shagaya     Yunus Oniboki     Ifelodun     Abatemi Usman     Sulyman Atolagbe Alege     Ebola     Sheikh Ariyibi     Razaq Atunwa     Dar-Al-Handasah Consultants     Kwara Basketball Association     Yakub Ali-Agan     Bahago     Afusat Nike Ibrahim     Economic And Financial Crimes Commission     Eghe Igbinehin     Joseph Yemi Ajayi     Gbajabiamila     Abdulrauf Aliyu     Isiaq Khadeejah     Ojuekun     Afolabi-Oshatimehin     Senior Ibrahim Suleiman     Gbadeyan Gbadura Yomi     Lanre Aremu     Valsolar Consortium     Olugbense     Aliyu Muyideen     Ilorin Anchor Men And Women     Ayinde Oki     Folorunsho Alao     Oba Of Jebba     Olokoba Sulyman     Susan Modupe Oluwole     Tafida Of Ilorin     Ahmed Idris Mohammed     State Bureau Of Internal Revenue     Oni Adebayo     Countryside Emerging Leaders Fellowship     Abdullahi Biffo     Olayinka Jelili Yusuf     Benin Republic     High Court     Galland Marcias     Kudirat Arinola Lawal     Magaji Nda     Principal Private Secretary     Ladi Hassan     Adamu Atta     Mazars Consulting     IF-K     Abikan     Afin Descendants Union Of Odo-Owa     Nigerian Correctional Service     Alabere     Kulende-UITH     Federal College Of Education (Special), Afon     Ridwan Agboola     Budo Egba     United Nigeria Congress Party     Shururat Olatinwo     Sola Saraki University    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Talaka Parapo     Oluwarotimi Boluwatife Adenike     Mustapha Olanipekun     Ahmad Fatima Bisola     Abdullateef Abdussalam     IsDB     Omu Aran     AbdulHamid Adi     John Olobayo     Deji Ajani     Computer Based Test     United Nigeria Airline     Doyin Agbamu     Minister     Dunmade     Abubakar Baba     Academic Staff Union Of Universities     Lanre Jimoh     Adamu Atta     AbdulQowiy Olododo     Rasaq Jimoh     Isiaka Saka Opobiyi     Saad Omo\'ya     Kayode Ishola     Kwara Polytechnic     Abdulrazaq Sanni     John Mayokun Dada     Raheem Adaramaja     Ayekale     Olaiya Zuberu     Isapa     Unilorin     Elese Of Igbaja     Bayo Ajia     Tunji Folami     NaAllah     Shehu Jimoh     Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa     Moshood Bakare     Olusola Saraki     Mumini Ishola Hanafi     UNILORIN Alumni     Tanke Road     Afonja Descendants Union     Isaac Aderemi Kolawole     Obayomi Azeez     Okeose Christian Cementary     Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq     Mamman Saba Jibril     Alfa Modibo Belgore     Wahab Abayawo     Peter Amogbonjaye     Sayomi     Ayo Salami     Joshua Adeyemi Adimula     Ishak Mohammed Sabi     Tafidan Kaiama     Waziri Yakubu Gobir     Apaokagi     Baba Isale     Muyiwa Oladipo Kanu     Idiagbon     Admiralty Villa     Centre For Peace And Strategic Studies     Oloye     Taofeek Ibraheem     Shehu Alimi Foundation     Oluranti Idowu     Abiodun Abdulkareem     Convocation Ceremonies     Kwara State Television     Olubukola Kifayat Adedeji     Nigeria Computer Society     Belgore     Isiaka Abdulrazak     Rex Olawoye     Coronavirus