EFCC docks Air Vice Marshall for N166m bribe

In continuation of its relentless efforts in bringing corrupt public officers to justice, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, June 2, 2016arraigned Air Vice Marshall Olutayo Tade Oguntoyinbo before Justice Olukayode A. Adeniyi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja on one count charge of bribery to the tune of N166 million (one hundred and sixty-six million Naira).

Allegedly, AVM Oguntoyinbo while being the Chief of Training and Operations of the Nigerian Air force collected the sum of N166m (one hundred and sixty-six million naira) as gratification from a contractor with the Nigerian Air force, Societe D’ Equipments Internationaux Nigeria Limited.

The act contravenes Section 17(a) of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under Section 17(c) of the same Act.

The charge reads:

“That you, AVM Olutayo Tade Oguntoyinbo whilst serving as Chief of Training and Operations, Nigerian Air force and the CEO/Managing Director as well as the sole signatory to the account of Spaceweb Integrated Services Limited with Wema Bank, on or about  the 11th July, 2014 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did accept a gift in the sum of One hundred and Sixty Six Million Naira (N166,000,000) from Societe D’ Equipments Internationaux Nigeria Limited, a contractor with the Nigerian Air force in performance of your official act and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section17(a) of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under Section 17(c) of the same Act”.

The defendant pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him.

In view of his plea, counsel to EFCC, Francis Jirbo asked the court for a date for hearing.

But, Oguntoyinbo’s counsel, Henry Michael Ihun prayed the court to grant bail to the accused on liberal terms.

Jirbo kicked saying that, he was served with the bail application shortly before the court started sitting and needed time to respond to it.

Justice Adeniyi ordered that the accused person be remanded in Kuje Prison pending hearing on the bail application and adjourned toJune 6, 2016.