EFCC Reacts To The Dismissal Of Former Governor Sylva’s N19.2Bn Fraud Case

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has faulted the decision of the Federal High Court Abuja, which today dismissed the 42-count charge of stealing brought against a former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva on the grounds of abuse of court process.

According to the anti-graft agency, Justice A. R Mohammed in dismissing the charge, erred in law as the accused persons had not taken any plea; no proof of evidence was placed before the court and trial had not commenced.

It noted that the dismissal of the charge by Justice Mohammed, following the application of the Commission to consolidate the charges against the former governor and his accomplices, does not amount to a discharge or an acquittal, and it does not preclude the power of the agency to bring fresh charges against the defendants.

Sylva along with Francis Okokwo, Gbenga Balogun, and Samuel Ogbuku, are alleged to have used three companies – Marlin Maritime Limited, Eat Catering Services Limited, and Haloween-Blue Construction and Logistics Limited to move about N19.2 billion from Bayelsa State coffers between 2009 and 2012, under false pretence of using the withdrawn money to augment salaries of the state government workers.