FORMER BSIEC CHAIRMAN, 10 OTHERS ARRAIGNED FOR N1.1BN FRAUD IN BENUE
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Dr. Tersoo Loko, former Chairman of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC), alongside 10 others, before the Federal High Court in Makurdi over an alleged N1.1 billion fraud.
The defendants—Kuleve Terlumun, Serki Manasseh, Denen Ronald, Tatyough Thaddeus, Dominic Terhember, Benjamin Igbawua, Adese Asom, Orkuma Nyiusta, Owoicho Odeh, and Mhir Iyenge—face a 30-count charge of criminal misappropriation of public funds and money laundering.
According to the EFCC, the accused allegedly diverted funds released for the 2020 and 2022 local government elections in Benue State, amounting to N1,665,403,100. The agency stated that only N565,039,506 was used for the elections, leaving N1,100,363,594 unaccounted for.
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One of the charges alleges that Dr. Loko received N118,166,000 from BSIEC funds and diverted it for personal use, while another count accuses him of diverting N110,905,000 in abuse of office, contrary to the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended).
All defendants pleaded not guilty. EFCC counsel, M. Yusuf, urged the court to fix a trial date, noting that the prosecution was ready to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Justice Mohammed Abubakar granted each defendant bail in the sum of N50 million with one surety in like sum. Each surety must have a valid international passport, and the defendants were directed to deposit their passports with the court registrar. Pending compliance with bail conditions, the accused remain in custody.
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