N2.45bn fraud: EFCC returns Sylva to court

Former Bayelsa governor, Timipre Sylva was on Monday re-arraigned by the EFCC on allegations of fraud involving about N2.45bn at a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Sylva also has similar charges pending against him before Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The accused allegedly committed the offence between October 2009 and February 2010 as governor of Bayelsa State.

He pleaded not guilty to all the six counts when he was re-arraigned before Justice Evoh Chukwu on Monday.

The matter had to start de novo (afresh) following the retirement of Justice ‎Bello, a development which prompted Sylva’s re-arraignment before Justice Chukwu on Monday.

The prosecuting counsel, Mr. Festus Keyamo, who signed the charges, accused Sylva of offences, including conversion of various sums of money belonging to the state with the aim of concealing their illicit origins.

He was also accused him of inducing‎ Union Bank Plc to fraudulently grant him a N2bn overdraft facility under the pretext of using the money to augment workers’ salary.

After the arraignment on Monday, Justice Chukwu granted bail to Sylva in the conditions and terms previously granted by the former trial judge. The court fixed May 25 for commencement of trial.

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