The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has arraigned former Chairman of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund(NSITF), Ngozi Olejeme.
Olejeme is being prosecuted on a nine-count charge bordering on diversion of public funds and money laundering to the tune of N69 billion.
She pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Arguing her bail application, counsel to the defendant, Paul Erokoro (SAN), prayed the court to grant her bail on self recognizance, on liberal terms and on health grounds.
He submitted that the defendant has been diabetic and hypertensive for 30 years, she has had four major surgeries in the United States of America and South Africa.
“Four months ago, the applicant suffered a heart failure and last month she caught Covid-19 and she is still in the recovery process.
She will have follow-up surgery, one of which is scheduled to hold next month in South Africa.”
In his response, the prosecution counsel, Steve Odiase, who did not oppose the bail application, rather prayed the court to grant her conditional bail.
Reacting, Erokoro asked the court to discountenance the prosecution’s position that the applicant breached her administrative bail and escaped from the country.
“She returned to Nigeria voluntarily when she was asked to do so, due to the charges by the complainant.
“She regularly visited the complainant’s offices and has reported regularly and never missed an appointment,” he argued.
Justice Mariam Hassan Aliyu adjourned till Friday, 22 October, for ruling and ordered that the defendant be kept in the custody of the EFCC.