Finance Controller In Court For Stealing $300,000

photo - Finance Controller In Court For Stealing $300,000

John Adet Esiegbuya

The Finance Controller of Lonestar Drilling Nigeria Limited, John Adet Esiegbuya, was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday, June 6, before Justice Lambo Akanbi of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, on an 8-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, forgery and obtaining money under false pretense.

Back in July, 2010, the accused allegedly forged documents and signature of the Managing Director of Lonestar Drilling Nigeria Limited and defrauded the company of $300,000. He allegedly transferred the money to the account of another company, Combo Limited, purportedly promoted to conceal the fraud.

However, John Adet Esiegbuya pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against him.

The counts reads: “You John Adet Esiegbuya, on or about the 27th day of July, 2010 at Port Harcourt, within the Jurisdiction of this honourable court did steal the sum of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300, 000) property of Lonestar Drilling Nigeria Limited contrary to section 383(2) (a) of the Criminal Code Act Cap C38 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) 2007 and punishable under section 390 (9) of the same Act.

“You John Adet Esiegbuya on or about the 28th day of July, 2010 at Port Harcourt, within the Jurisdiction of this honourable court did forge a Compro Limited letter addressed to Diamond Bank Plc with invoice dated 19th July,2010 in respect of ‘Consultancy Services rendered IRO LSO rigs 203 and 204’ and thereby committed an offence contrary to the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17 Revised Edition(Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) 2007 and punishable under section 1(2) of the same Act.”

Justice Akanbi granted the accused bail in the sum of N2,000,000 with two sureties in like sum. One of the sureties must be a GL. 14 Officer in either the Federal or the State Civil Service while his counsel stands as the second surety.

The matter was adjourned till October 8, 2014 for trial.

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