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.

Akeem Lawal     Abdulquowiyu Olododo     Jamiu Oyawoye     Musibau Akanji     Theophilus Oyebiyi     Shehu Salau     Zubair Folorunsho Erubu     Idowu Laro     Olusola Saraki     Rotimi Oyedepo     Ballah     Ilorin Likeminds Foundation     Bankole Omishore     Isiaka Oniwa     Victor Gbenga Yusuf     Monkey Pox     Amina Susa\'a De Ahmed     Henry Makinwa     Chikanda     Lawal Olohungbebe     Lawal Jimoh     Just Law Forum     Adamu Jemilat-Baki     Chief Of Staff     Abubakar Usman Jos     Facebook     Bolaji Nagode     Olomu Of Omu-Aran     Tsaragi-Share     AbdulHamid Adi     Muhammad Akande Olarewaju Odunade     Rihanat Ajia     Oladipo Akanmu Tolani     Sulyman Tejidini     Halimah Perogi     Hamidat Sulyman-Yusuf     Ogbondoroko     Saheed Alakoso     TETFUND     Woro     Kwara State Television (KWTV)     Toyin Sanusi     Revenue Court     Kupchi Hosea Maxwell     Adesoye     Saka Aleshinloye     Share     Riskat Opakunle     ASUU     Ahmed Idris Mohammed     Ayobami Akanbi     Olufolake Abdulrazaq     Ayinde Oki     Aliyu Salihu     Suleiman Alege Kuranga     Minimum Wage     Rafiu Ibrahim     Kudirat Arinola Lawal     Saliu Ajibola Ajia     Amada Jidda     Olatunji Abdulmumeen     Mary Arinde     Share/Tsaragi     Anilelerin     AbdulQowiy Olododo     Kolade Solagberu     Adedeji Onimago     Ahmed \'Lateef     Tafida Of Ilorin     CCT     Fola Consultant     Bureau Of Lands     Kayode Ogunlowo     Ejidongari     Olatinwo     John Obuh     Nigeria Association Of Women Journalists    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

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

Ilesha-Baruba     Oke-Odo     Lawal Olohungbebe     Opobiyi     Senate     Yekeen Alabi     Umar Saro     Kayode Ishola     Ibrahim Oloriegbe     Solomon Edoja     Academic Staff Union Of Universities     Saad Belgore     Halidu Danbaba     Aliyu Alhassan     NNPP     Saliu Ajia     Moronfoye     Oasis Muslim Care Foundation     Amina Susa\'a De Ahmed     James Ayeni     UITH     Sabi     Sardauna Of Ilorin     Ilorin Durbar     Valsolar     Obasanjo     Sango-UITH Road     Borgu     Babatunde Idiagbon     Oba Sulaiman Asude     Atiku Abubakar     Galland Marcias     S.O. Opowoye     Suleiman Mora Omar     Olabanji Orilonishe     NAWOJ     Hassan Saliu     Ibrahim Abdulkadir Abikan     Onikijipa     Ilorin International Airport     Maigida Soludero Transit     Salaudeen Oyewale     Yusuf AbdulRasheed     Garba Ayodele Wahab     Radio SBS     Valsolar Consortium     Nigerian Army     Saka Onimago     Kwara State Fish Farmers Association     Mohammed Alabi Lawal     Mohammed Haruna     Joseph Offorjama     Aiyedun     Oyedun Juliana Funke     Tafida Of Kaiama     Hydro-electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission     Kayode Bankole     AbdulKareem Yusuf Danhawa     David Oyedepo     Press Release     Ifelodun     Idowu Laro     Sarkin Malamai     Fareedah Dankaka     Vasolar Consultoria     Curfew     Kwara Volleyball Association     Shaykh Luqman Jimoh     Simeon Ajibola     Taiwo Joseph     Oya State     Gobir Organization Foundation     Quareeb Islamic Association     Alaro     Bayo Lawal     KWACOBPA     AGM Professional Services