EFCC re-arraigns Ex-NHIS boss over alleged $2.1m fraud

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday, re-arraigned former Executive Secretary of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Dr. Martins Thomas, at the Federal High Court, Lagos for allegedly laundering $2,198, 900.

He was re-arraigned alongside one Kabiru Sidi, a Bureau De Change operator, before Justice Ayokunle Faji on an amended seven-count charge of money laundering to the tune of $2,198,900.

The first defendant, Thomas, according to EFCC counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, allegedly conspired with his wife, Funmi, to pay $2,198,900 cash to one Ibitoye Bamidele at their residence on 20, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Road, Idi-Araba, Lagos.

The second defendant, Sidi, was also said to have lied to an EFCC investigator, Afeez Mustapha, that he was the owner of the money.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.

However, counsel to the first and second defendants, Collins Ogbonna and C.A Samson, prayed the court to allow their clients to continue on the bail earlier granted when they were first arraigned in 2016 before justice Saliu Saidu.

Justice Faji granted the defendants’ prayer to continue on the existing bail and adjourned further proceeding till March 19, 20 and 21 for continuations of trial.