From James Ojo, Abuja

A serving and retired staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Ibrahim Muhammed Umar and Sahabo Iya Hamman, respectively, have been dragged to court by the Gombe zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), over allegations of receiving monetary benefits, conspiracy and corrupt enrichment.

EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, disclosed that the duo were taken before Justice Nathan Musa of the Adamawa State High Court, Yola on a 3-count charge, and they pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Ibrahim, the electoral officer in charge of Yola South Local Government Area of Adamawa state, allegedly conspired with  Sahabo, a retired INEC staff and Adamawa  state coordinator of West African Network of Election Observers (WANEO) during the 2015 presidential election, to receive N362 million,  part of the  N23 billion  bribe allegedly distributed by former Petroleum Resources minister, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, to influence the outcome of the 2015 presidential poll.

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Investigations, according to hi,m, revealed that N65.2 million from the money collected was shared among INEC officials in the state, while N281.9 million could not be accounted for, by the accused persons. 

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges. Consequently, prosecution counsel A. Y. Muntaka asked the court to fix a date for trial and to remand the accused in prison custody. 

Justice Nathan adjourned the case to  October 17, 18 and 19,  2017.

granted bail to the accused in the sum of N10m each and two sureties in like sum.