A former chairman of the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Stephen Alao, Woman Leader of the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mrs Esosa Amadasun and three former board members of the Edo SUBEB were on Thursday remanded in prison by an Edo State High Court.
The remand of the accused was sequel to objection to the bail application moved by counsel to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission ( EFCC), Ben. Ubi in a 50-count charge case instituted against the five accused.
They were alleged to have corruptly enriched themselves with various sum of money from the bulk sale of their own share of SUBEB contracts, an offense punishable under section26 (1) and other relevant sections of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Act of 2000.
The accused, who pleaded not guilty to the charges read to them by the court clerk, were alleged to have committed the offences in 2016.
The presiding judge, Justice Ohimai Ovbiagele, who ordered the remand of the accused in prison custody, however, adjourned the bail application to next week Monday.
Ovbiagele also adjourned the commencement of the main trial of the case to 26th and 27th of October.
The accused were alleged to have conspired among themselves to commit the offenses while serving as chairman and board members of the Edo State education agency.
In the charge sheet, Stephen Alao was among others alleged to have single-handedly awarded the contract sum of of N192.138million for the supply of students plastic seats and desks to a company that belong to his family, Fugard Agric. Development Co Limited.
The APC, woman leader, Esosa Amadasun, was alleged to have received the sum of N2.5million from one Chinedu Abiazia, N4.5million from Goldust Complex limited, N2 million from Odam Global Integrated Services among others from different contractors as bulk sale of his shares of contracts awarded to her.
