The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFFC) says the strike by the judiciary workers was hampering its operations as it has crippled its arraignment of suspected fraudsters.
An official of the commission, who preferred anonymity, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday on telephone that the ongoing strike had led to the granting of bail to suspects.
The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) had embarked on strike on Jan. 2 to press their demand for enhanced welfare packages, thus stalling activities in the high and magistrates’ courts.
The source said that one of the latest offenders, Samuel Joseph, Managing Director of Vegefresh Company Ltd, Rhema Doormart West Africa Limited and Plywood and Chemicals Accessories, had been granted bail.
Joseph was arrested in Lagos on Jan. 12, for allegedly diverting N3.8 billion loan he secured from an old generation bank but is still under investigation by the EFCC.
“There is a limited time the commission is permitted by the law to keep an offender and that is the reason for granting him bail.
“The commission has granted administrative bail to the offender, while investigation is still ongoing in the matter since the case is a bailable offence,” he said.
“The offender allegedly collected the sum of N2 billion in February 2012 as loan through Vegefresh Company Ltd, ostensibly for the purpose of setting up a Tomato Processing Plant in Bauchi.
“He also collected the money in addition to setting up a Tomato Cannery in Badagry, Lagos, as well as Cassava factory in Ogun,” the source said.
He added that the businessman also collected N1.5 billion from the Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme Facility (CACS).
“Also, N500 million was released as NEXIM Bank’s Rediscounting and Refinancing Facility (RFF) which accumulated to N3, 828,756,877.61 with interest.
NAN
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