BREAKING: Ex-power minister, Wakil, imprisoned over alleged corruption

A previous Minister of State for power in the nation, Muhammad Wakil, is to stay in jail custody till March 31, 2021 on the command of a Federal Capital Territory High Court over his supposed involvement in the mishandling of the N27 billion earmarked for the payment of the retirement benefits to staff of the non-operational Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

This proceeding followed the two-count charge enclosing on corruption and abuse of office criticised on Wakil on Monday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice S.B.Belgore of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo, Abuja.

EFCC slams Wakil with 2-count charges of corruption and abuse of office

Wakil, an ex-lawmaker, was charged together with two companies-Corozzeria Nigeria Limited and Pikat Properties Nigeria Limited, for purportedly accepting N148 million as gratification from Bestworth Insurance Brokers Limited out of the N27.1 billion endorsed outstanding insurance premiums and claims of dead and debilitated staff of PHCN.

Count one of the charge reads, “That you Muhammed Wakil, while being Minister of Power and managing director of Corozzeria Nigeria Limited, and Corozzeria Nigeria Limited, on or about 22nd December, 2014, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did corruptly receive the sum of N118 million through Corozzeria Nigeria Limited’s Polaris Bank Account No. 4010023658 from Bestworth Insurance Brokers Limited out of the sum of N27.1 billion being the sum approved for the payment of outstanding insurance premiums and claims of deceased and incapacitated staff of Power Holding Company of Nigeria( PHCN), and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(1)(a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under Section 8(1)(b)(ii)of the same Act.”

As soon as the charges were read, the defendant pleaded “not guilty.”

The Prosecution Counsel, Benjamin Manji, requested the court to set a date for the beginning of the trial and for the imprisonment, the defendant at a Correctional Centre, pending trial.

Nevertheless, the defendant’s counsel, B.C Igwilo SAN, implored the court to grant bail to the 1st defendant. “My Lord, our humble application is for the first defendant to be admitted to bail,” he said.

On the other hand, the prosecution counsel opposed the oral application, while asking the court to order the defendant to file the application officially.

Justice Belgore adjourned the matter till March 31, 2021 for bail application determination and imprisoned the defendant in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).