By: Uchechi Ohanusi
Former Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Fidet Okhiria Edetanle, has been remanded in a maximum correctional facility after being arraigned over alleged fraud involving more than N165 million and $385,000.
Edetanle was arraigned before the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on a seven-count charge bordering on alleged abuse of office, money laundering and unlawful enrichment while in public service.
The anti-graft agency accused the former railway chief of engaging in financial misconduct during his tenure as managing director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation. At the court session, the defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Following his plea, prosecution counsel, Abba Muhammad (SAN), urged the court to fix a date for trial and requested that the defendant be remanded in custody pending the commencement of proceedings.
However, defence counsel, Adebowale Kamoru, informed the court that he had only just received the charge and requested a short adjournment to enable him to file a bail application on behalf of his client.
After listening to both parties, Justice Rahman Oshodi adjourned the case to May 13, 14 and 15 for commencement of trial.
The court subsequently ordered that Edetanle be remanded in a maximum correctional facility pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.
The arraignment marks the latest in a series of corruption cases involving former public officials facing prosecution by the EFCC.
