The trial of Mr. John Ayoade Shamonda, former Director-General of Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), has opened before Justice Adeniyi Ademola of High Court of the Federal Capital Territory Apo, Abuja. This was made known in a statement signed by Mrs. Rasheedat A. Okoduwa, ICPC spokesperson.
The statement said the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) arraigned Mr. Shamonda in May before Justice Ademola for alleged mismanagement of N603 million intervention funds. The funds were meant for rehabilitation and replacement of damaged hydrological equipment of NIHSA.
The alleged offenses are contrary to and are punishable under Sections 16, 17 (1) (C), and 22 (5) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.
During the trial, the ICPC prosecution counsel, Mr. Okechukwu Igbudu, called the head of the Investigation team, Mr. Joshua Wakili, to the witness box to testify on the outcome of his investigation to the court.
In his testimony, Mr. Wakili tendered some documents to substantiate his findings, and they were admitted in court as exhibits.
The ICPC head of investigation also testified that some of the purchases and disbursement of funds made by Mr. Shamonda were not captured in the approval given by the Presidency and Ministry of Water Resources.
The defense counsel, Mr. Michael Bello, cross-examined the ICPC witness on the admissibility of some of the documents tendered in court.
At the conclusion of the cross-examination, Justice Ademola adjourned the case to 7 December for further hearing.
