Imo police parades ex-Commissioner for theft, fraud

www.odogwublog.com reports that the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Dasuki Galadanchi today arraigned a former Commissioner of Commerce and Industry to Governor Rochas Okorocha, Ichie Best Mbanaso on 11 count charge of defrauding, stealing, and destruction of fuel stations.

Mbanaso who was arrested last Wednesday, pleaded not guilty to the 11 counts spread in three different suits from different petitioners with charge numbers OW/439c/2018; OW/438/c/2018; and OW/440c/2018.

He was alleged to have between 2012 and 2013 with intent to defraud, receiving fuel station materials valued at over N38million from Olison Enterprises, belonging to Chief Oliver Anopuome and purported to have acted on the instruction of Imo State Government.

The former Commissioner who also served as the Mayor of Orlu, was alleged to have received 33,000 litres of diesel valued at over N5million belonging to Olison Enterprises under the pretence of acting for the State Government.

Further, the charge read that Mbanaso conspired with others at large to steal underground fuel tanks and a GP water tank with stand belonging to Olison Enterprises.

The Imo State Commissioner of Police alleged that Mbanaso maliciously destroyed a fuel station belonging to Chief Oliver under the pretence of acting for the State Government.

The Magistrate, Adaugo Nosiri who complained over the manner the charges were prepared, scattered, bothering on similar issues, saying the prosecution ought to have tidied the charges cum files.

Further, she complained about the attitude of the Police to arraign accused persons on charges the Magistrate court lacks jurisdiction, saying prosecuting lawyers should help in the improvement of Justice delivery by ensuring compliance to the proper things.

Defense counsel, Fintan Ilika had orally sought for bail for his client on very liberal terms including self recognition adding that his client suffers acute hypertension even as he maintained that the charges were politically motivated.

The other charges were based on purported actions of Mbanaso while serving Governor Okorocha as an aide.

The Magistrate granted Mbanaso bail on all the charges she had jurisdiction over for various sums and directed that the files be sent to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for direction and adjourned the matter to September 10th.