The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on February 11, 2014 re-arraigned Ziriki Timipre Godwill, and Wenibowei Moses Michael, both former aides of Timipre Sylva, the former governor of Bayelsa State.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on February 11, 2014 re-arraigned Ziriki Timipre Godwill, and Wenibowei Moses Michael, both former aides of Timipre Sylva, the former governor of Bayelsa State.
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The two who served as Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Persons Living with Disabilities, and Senior Special Assistant (SSA) Youth and Conflict Management, respectively, were re-arraigned before Justice Kate Abiri of the State High Court, Yenagoa, Bayelsa state.
The two were hit on a four-count amended charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing. They were first arraigned last year, on March 4, 2013 before Justice J.A Ajuwa Suo Motu of the State High Court. But the case file had to be returned to the Chief Judge for re-assignment, after the trial judge revealed that the 1st accused attends the same church with him.
Zikiri, and Moses are charged with financial crimes for allegedly conspiring and diverting the sum of ten million naira (N10, 000,000.00) approved by Governor Sylva for non-indigenes welfare.
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They however, pleaded not guilty to the amended charge when it was read to them.
One of the charges reads, “that you Zikiri Timipre Godwill on or about the month of August, 2011 at Yenagoa in the Yenagoa Judicial Division while you were a Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the former Bayelsa State Governor, His Excellency, Timipre Sylva, on Persons Living with Disabilities did steal the sum of Four Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N4,500.000.00) property of Bayelsa State Government being a part of the take-off grant approved by the former Governor of Bayelsa State for the office of Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Non-Indigenes Welfare and thereby Committed an offence contrary to Section 317(5) of the Criminal Code Law Vol. 1 CAP C14 Laws of the Bayelsa State 2006”.
In view of their plea, the prosecution counsel, A.I Arogha, had sought the leave of the court to commence trial, as some of the prosecuting witnesses were on hand and ready to testify. The defence counsel, Eric Deri, and Prince D.O Ejinyere, however, prayed that the accused persons be granted bail on the previous terms offered them by the court.
Justice Abiri granted the accused persons bail and adjourned the matter till February 28, and March 14 and 17, 2014 for a hearing.
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