Former Governor of Bayelsa State, ?Mr. Timipre Sylva, ?Monday, took fresh plea over a six-count criminal charge that was filed against him by ?the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC

Sylva is facing trial over allegation that he masterminded the illegal diversion of funds from the Bayelsa State treasury while he was in power.

He was specifically accused of siphoning over N6.5 billion from the Bayelsa State treasury between October 2009 and February 2010.

EFCC had earlier identified three persons whose Bank accounts, it said was used as conduit pipes for illicit transfer of funds which it said that Sylva secured through loan from Union Bank Plc in the name of the Bayelsa state government.

Names of the said accomplices were given as Habibu Sani Maigidia, a Bureau De Change Operator with Account No. 221433478108, in Fin Bank, Plc, Enson Benmer Limited with Account No. 6152030001946, in First Bank, Plc and one John Daukoru with Account No. 04800250000418, in United Bank for Africa Plc.

Meantime, Sylva who was previously arraigned before the court on June 5, 2012, pleaded not guilty to all the six-count charge against him.

His prosecution commenced ?de-novo (afresh), following the retirement of the former trial Judge in the matter, Justice Adamu Bello.

Credit: vanguardngr