The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offence Commission (ICPC) yesterday said a former Secretary to Adamawa State Government (SSG), Mr. John Eddie Manassa, is on trial before a Yola High Court for allegedly stealing N300million from the treasury within three months.

ICPC told the court that the former SSG stole the money in tranches.

The anti-graft agency said of the money, about N45million was the state’s contribution to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF). But instead of remitting the money, the ex-SSG allegedly paid only N28million to the NGF.

A statement by the Resident Consultant on Media and Publicity of the ICPC, Mr. Folu Olamiti, said: “The money was allegedly moved out of the state treasury at separate times between December 2007 and February 2008.

“The commission told the court that Manassa allegedly used his office to demand for, at separate times, N130million, N45million, N44million, N25million, N5million, among others, from the governor to carry out official functions, only to divert virtually the money into his private pocket.

“Although Manassa pleaded not guilty to the 10-count charge of criminal diversion of public fund preferred against him by the ICPC, two of his former staff – Francisca Koji and Fadimat Sheu – who were witnesses in the case, mounted the witness box to testify against him.

“Koji, who was a cashier in the Office of the SSG between 2007 and 2008, told the High Court how she collected cheques relevant to the case from the office of the Accountant-General.

“She said the cheques included a N130million allegedly meant for members of Adamawa State House of Assembly; N45 million cheque for Governors’ Forum; N25 million cheque for peace and security in Adamawa State; N44 million cheque for outstanding payment and commitments; and N5million cheque for Christmas and Salah.

“ICPC, however, led evidence to the effect that the monies were moved out under the pretext that they were meant for the said official purposes but were diverted to his private pocket.

“Fadimatu, who retired after spending 25 years in service, gave evidence on the monies, to the effect that she was collected the controversial cheques from Koji and deposited them in the SSG’s account in Zenith Bank.”

On the N130million cheque meant for the House of Assembly, Fadimatu said after collecting the cheque from the Office of the Accountant-General, she informed the SSG, who instructed her to cash the cheque. She said she did.

“She testified further that the SSG also directed her to take the money to a member of the House of Assembly representing Girei Constituency.

“She said she did not know the house of the member but that the Personal Assistant to the SSG, the late Usman Joda, and Hamisu Idris, the Senior Special Assistant to the SSG, took her with the money to the house of the member.

“Shesaid when they got there, they met some people who asked them to confirm the money, which she did. She was later told to drop the money which she did at the parlor…”

Via Naija Mayor