Chief Arraigned For Allegedly Defrauding RSG

A Port Harcourt High Court presided over by justice T .S. Orji will on July 5, 2011 decide on a bail application for Chief Eugene Theophilius Minimah, the chairman and Chief Executive of Homelink Holding Company accused of defrauding the Rivers State Government to the tune of N99million.

The state counsel, Mrs N.H Oteh told the court that the accused (Chief Eugene Minimah) on August 22, 200 in the Port Harcourt Judicial Division falsely defrauded the Rivers State Government of N99million in a contract deal.

According to the state counsel, the said amount was given to the accused by the Rivers State Government for the purchase of a parcel of land at Asokoro, Abuja and the construction of Rivers State Deputy Governor’s lodge and boys quarters.

Mr Oteh further told the court that the accused knew that such representation was false and thereby committed an offence perishable under section (3) of the advance free fraud and other fraud related offences, Act Cap A.6, laws of the federation 2006.

She therefore opposed the bail application sought by the defence lawyer on the ground that the gravity of the offence makes it impossible for the court to grant bail for the accused pointing out that a lower court had earlier refused the accused person bail on the ground of lack of jurisdiction on the matter.

The trial Judge, Justice T.S.Oji, however fixed July 5, 2011 for ruling on the bail application and ordered that the accused be remanded in Port Harcourt prison.