Fresh evidence has indicted Zinox chairman, Leonard Ekeh, and some of the company’s officials involved in a N170 million fraud that was first reported by online newspaper, Premium Times.
The document shows that, Mr Ekeh, was not only involved in the contract fraud but was the fifth of eight suspects listed in the report for criminal prosecution at the end of the investigation by the police.
The report No. CR: 3000/X/FHQ/ABJ/SEB/Vol.41 dated April 7, 2015 was signed by Olayinka Ajeigbe, then a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Team ‘A’ Leader, Special Enquiry Bureau, Force Criminal Intelligence & Investigation Department (FCIID), Abuja.
The report titled: ‘Re: Case of Identity theft, Impersonation and Criminal Conversion of Contract worth over N170million committed against Citadel Oracle Concept Limited’ was addressed to the Commissioner of Police (Administration), Special Enquiry Bureau, FCIID, Nigeria Police, Abuja.
The suspects listed in the report included “Princess Kama Onyeoma, Chief Onny S.O. Igbokwe, Mr. Chris Eze Ozims, Folashade Oyebode, Chief Leo Stan Ekeh, Charles Adigwe, Obilo Onuoha, (and) Deborah Ojeabu.
The report had the words “At Large” written after Mr Ekeh’s name on the list, suggesting he made himself unavailable to answer questions over his role in the scam.
In the report, Mr Ajeigbe said the case was based on a petition by the Managing Director of an Ibadan-based IT retail firm, Citadel Oracle Concept Limited, Benjamin Joseph.
According to Mr Ajeigbe, his department conducted investigations, which included invitation of all the parties named in the petition for questioning as well as the forensic analyses of the transaction documents and signatures.
At the end of the investigations, the report confirmed all the allegations by Mr Joseph in his petition against the suspects. But, the report became one of the most closely guarded documents in the Nigerian police until recently.
The hearing of the case continued on Wednesday at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo, Abuja, in the N2 billion libel suit by Zinox Technologies Limited against Premium Times.
Premium Times however filed a counter-motion, No. M/1003/18, demanding a N10 billion compensation from Zinox Technologies for questioning the facts of its reporting and bringing its integrity to disrepute.
After listening to the fresh evidence, Justice S.C. Oriji accepted the documents in evidence and adjourned the case to March 15, 16, 17 and 24, 2021 for the continuation of hearing.
