Agency arraigns ex-Aso Rock doctor on money laundering charges

dimeji akinloye

April 26, 2017 4:39 AM

He was arraigned before Justice Peter Affen of the Federal Capital Territory high court sitting in Maitama on a six-count charge.

Fortunate Fiberesima

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged a former State House doctor,

Fiberesima served as the chief executive officer of State House Medical Centre, Abuja.

He was arraigned before Justice Peter Affen of the Federal Capital Territory high court sitting in Maitama on a six-count charge bordering on money laundering.

The Head of Media and Publicity for the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, April 25.

In 2012, Fiberesima allegedly awarded contract to a company where he has interests.

According to the statement, the accused also parades himself as Fortunate David and David Thank God Fiberesima.

Count one of the charge reads:

"That you , Dr Fortunate Fiberesima (a.k.a Fortunate David and David Thank God Fiberesima), being the former chief executive officer of the state House Medical Centre, Abuja and chief physician to the president and while employed in the public service, sometime in 2012, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowingly and directly held a private interest in the contract for land reclamation at the State House Medical Centre, Abuja in the sum of Two Hundred and Fifty Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N258,950,000.00), which contract was awarded to T. E & C Limited, a company in which you were a director, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 12 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000."

The former chief physician to the president pleaded not guilty to all the charges brought against him by the EFCC.

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On the prayers of the accused's counsel, U B Eyo, the judge ordered that the Fiberesima should continue on the bail condition earlier granted him by the EFCC.

He was asked to submit his international passport to the court registrar.

The case has been adjourned till June 6, 2017, for commencement of trial.

dimeji akinloye