Date Published: 12/08/09

N479M Mass Literacy Fraud: EFCC files 83 fresh charges against 11 directors ...As Court refuses to grant Olagunju his travel documents

Relief appears not yet in sight for Dr. Dayo Olagunju, Executive Secretary , National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non- Formal Education and 10 of his top officials as a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja , on Wednesday, December 16 ,  refused to grant his application for temporary release of his travel documents even as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission , EFCC filed 83 fresh charges against them.

Dr Olagunju and ten of his directors were on Friday July 24 , 2009, arraigned before Justice Anuli Chikere, on a 17 count charge of criminal conspiracy, criminal misappropriation of public funds, diversion, stealing, retaining and processing proceeds of crimes, and award of contracts in excess of the approved limit, all totaling N479million.

Other co-accused are Joshua Durodola Alao , Alice Atteh Abang, Jibrin Rikichi Waguna, Ahmed Abubakar, Shehu Abdullahi, Dr. Victoria –King Nwachukwu,  Adamu Khalid, Moses Oseni, Francis Awalewa and Bashir Tanko Suleiman.

At the resumed hearing of the case on Wednesday, prosecution counsel, Mike Bul, filed a fresh 83 count charge to replace the 17 count charge previously filed against the accused.

The defence counsel for the first accused, Barrister Oluwole Adebiyi, had prayed the court that Olagunju’s travel documents be released to enable him visit his family abroad; more so that his wife of 17 years had just given birth to their first kids, a triplet.

But Justice Chikere turned down the application on the ground that she needed time to study all applications filed.

Before adjourning the case till January 21, 2010, the prosecution counsel, Barrister Bul, had filed a fresh 83 count charge, but plea was however not taken.

Part of the charges read: “That you, DAYO OLAGUNJU on 18 th November, 2008, at Area 3 Garki, Abuja Federal Capital Territory within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, while being Public Officer to wit, Executive Secretary, of National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non- Formal Education, did award contracts in excess of the set threshold to NETWORK ASSOCIATES LTD to the tune of N38, 922,397.50 contrary to Section.22 (3) of the Public Procurement Act 2007.

“That you, DAYO OLUGUNJU on 18 th November, 2008, at Area 3 Garki, Abuja Federal Capital Territory within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, while being Public Officers to wit, Executive Secretary, of National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non- Formal Education, did award contracts in excess of the set threshold to DANAB GLOBAL SERVICES LTD to the tune of N42, 556,867.50 contrary to Section.22 (3) of the Public Procurement Act 2007

“That you, DAYO OLAGUNJU on November 18 , 2008, at Area 3 Garki, Abuja Federal Capital Territory within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while being a public officer to wit, Executive Secretary, of National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education, did award contracts in excess of the set threshold of FOCUS INTERGRATED SERVICES LTD to the tune of N28, 806,250.00 contrary to Section 22 (3) of the Public Procurement Act 2007.

“That you ( 1 ) Dayo Olagunju, ( 2) Joshua Durodola Alao And ( 3) Moses Oseni on 1 st December 2008 at Area 3 Garki, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory within the jurisdiction of this Honorable court while being public Officers, to wit, Chairman, member and secretary of the Tenders Committee ( Tender Board ) of the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non – Formal Education purportedly issued “ CERTIFICATE OF NO OBJECTION  to MATRIX IT SOLUTIONS LTD, purporting to certify the company for award of contracts for the supply of 948 units of Butterfly design Machines and 814 Knitting Machine ( Lot 5 B ) contrary to section 6 ( 1 )( b ) public procurement Act 2007.

“That you, DAYO OLAGUNJU on 18 th November, 2008 at Area 3 Garki, Abuja Federal Capital Territory within the jurisdiction of this Honorable court, while being a public Officer to wit, ExecutiveSecretary, of National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non – Formal Education, did award contracts in excess of the set threshold to MATRIX ITSOLUTIONS LTD, to the tune of N45, 258, 00.52 contrary to Section. 22 (3) of the public procurement Act 2007.”

Plea is expected be taken at the next adjourned date.