Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned one Felix Tangwami, former chairman, Demsa Local Government Area of Adamawa State, before Justice Helen Joda of Adamawa State High Court, sitting in Yola, on a five-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N981, 468, 000.00.
Tangwami, in his capacity as the council boss, was alleged to have used his position to award a number of contracts to companies where he had interests and failed to deliver on the contract terms.
These include: Contracts for supply of cerebrospinal meningitis vaccines awarded in favour of Binam Integrated Services Limited; supply of VVF Oral Vaccines for Immunisation against typhoid in favour of Nchaloro Nigeria Limited; supply of 500 units of motorcycles to be distributed to all the local government areas in Adamawa State in favour of Bange Integrated Service Limited; building of a school for technical skill acquisition in Numan, in favour of Bange Company Limited, and the supply of anti-snake venom in favour of Tafari Nigeria Limited.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges when read to him. In view of his plea, counsel to EFCC, Chris Meishelia prayed the court to fix a date to commence trial.
However, defence counsel, Sule J. Abdul, told the court that he had a pending application for the bail of the accused, and urged the court to admit him to bail, saying the offence for which he was being charged was bail able.
Justice Joda admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N500 million with one surety in like sum. The surety must be a family man residing within the jurisdiction of the court and must own a landed property worth N100 million. The case was adjourned to February 22, 2016, for hearing.
