The Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, has ordered the remand of former Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, Managing Director, Fidet Okhiria Edetanle, in a maximum correctional facility over alleged fraud involving more than N165 million and $385,000.
Edetanle was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a seven-count charge for offences linked to his time in office.
The anti-graft agency accused Edetanle of āabuse of office, money laundering, and unlawful enrichmentā while serving as head of the railway corporation.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read in court, setting the stage for further legal proceedings.
Following the plea, prosecution counsel Abba Muhammad, SAN, asked the court to fix a date for trial and asked that Edetanle be remanded in custody pending trial.
The defence counsel, Adebowale Kamoru, however, told the court he had just received the charge and requested a short adjournment to allow him file a bail application for his client.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Rahman Oshodi adjourned the case to May 13, 14 and 15 for the commencement of trial.
The court also directed that the defendant be held in a maximum correctional facility pending the determination of his bail request.
The case centres on allegations that the former railway chief engaged in financial misconduct while in public office, with the EFCC seeking to establish the charges during trial as part of efforts to address corruption in public institutions.
Ex-NRC boss Edetanle remanded over alleged N165m, $385,000 fraud
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