EFCC arraigns lottery winner for rumour-peddling in A/Ibom

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged one Idongesit Eyibo before the Federal High Court, Uyo for allegedly spreading misleading information.

Eyibo participated in the 2013 lottery competition organised by the Papi Events and Promotion Limited in conjunction with the Akwa Ibom state government as part of activities to commemorate the silver jubilee celebration of the state.

The participant who allegedly won about eight houses at the competition was said to have given false information to the Commission punishable under Section 39 (2) (b) of the EFCC Act, 2004.

The charge sheet with registration number FHC/Uyo/109c/2019 was signed on behalf of the anti-graft commission by Adebayo Soares.

The charge reads: “That you Idongesit Eyibo on July 24, 2019 at Uyo, did make a statement to officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission via a written petition which to your knowledge was intended to mislead the officers of the commission in investigating the petition and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 39(2) (a) of the EFCC establishment Act, 2004 and punishable under Section 39 (2) (b) of the same Act.”

It was gathered that the accused allegedly authored a petition to the EFCC against Papi Events and Promotion Limited accusing the firm of conducts bordering on fraud.

But, upon preliminary investigation, the commission perceived the transaction to be a purely civil and commercial transactions rather than criminal and worthy of investigation.

It was gathered that Eyibo proceeded to the Human Rights Radio (Brekete) in Abuja and allegedly accused the EFCC of dereliction of duty and bias, prompting the commission to commence full scale investigation into the matter.

After being arraigned before the court, the case was adjourned till March 26, for commencement of hearing.