The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday May 21, 2013 arraigned one Fadamijo Omotayo, before Justice R.I. Ahiakwo of the State High Court, Port Harcourt on one count charge bordering on Stealing

Omotayo who is the Curator and Head of National Museum, Port Harcourt allegedly abuse his office and embezzled the funds internally generated by the Museum. He is alleged to have giving out property of the Museum to a church without remitting the proceeds to government coffers.

The charge reads; "that you Fadamijo Omotayo a public servant with National Commission for Museum and Monument between the month of January and September, 2008 at Port Harcourt within the Port Harcourt judiciary division did fraudulently steal the sum of N630,000.00 (six hundred and thirty thousand naira ) property of National Commission for Museum and Monument, Port Harcourt in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State which sum came into your possession by virtue of your employment and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 390 95) of the criminal code CAP 37 Laws of rivers state of Nigeria, 1999".

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Justice R.I. Ahiakwo granted the accused bail in the sum of N1, 000,000.00 (One Million Naira) and a surety in like sum. The surety who must swear to an affidavit of means, must be resident within the jurisdiction court and own property with a value not less than N10m (Ten Million Naira) in Port Harcourt City.

The case was adjourned to July31, 2013 for hearing.

Media & Publicity Unit