Alleged N6.5bn fraud: Sylva appears in court today

MAY 8, 2012 BY MIKE ODIEGWU, YENAGOA 

Former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva is to appear before a Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday (today) to face charges of N6.5bn fraud.

The Economic Financial Crime Commission had in a suit it instituted on February 24, accused Sylva of diverting the money from the state treasury to private use while in office. The anti-graft body claimed  that the fraud was  perpetrated the between October 2009 and February 2010.

Since his whereabouts were unknown, Justice Adamu Bello on April 2 granted the EFCC leave to paste the court processes on the gate of his house in Abuja.

Besides, the court ordered the accused person to appear before it today or risk being declared wanted.

But our correspondent learnt that Sylva and his loyalists were scared that   plans  had allegedly made to arrest Sylva  after the court  proceedings

His fear was said to have been predicated on allegation of treason brought against him by security agencies, which our correspondent learnt was the major reason the PDP  decided  to stop his reelection bid.

Sylva was alleged to have threatened to deal with President Goodluck Jonathan.

It was learnt that an attempt was made to arrest him immediately his tenure was terminated by the Supreme Court but Sylva allegedly went into hiding two days before the judgment.

However, Sylva,  in the letter published in many websites,  including 247ureports.com,  said he would only appear in court to defend himself if Jonathan gives him public assurance guaranteeing his safety.

The letter read in part, “I earnestly desire to come defend and clear myself of these charges, but my fear of being framed-up by the Federal government on diabolical political charges are well founded. I therefore in good faith make the above demand of the President to enable me to come and defend myself.”

But Sylva denied the letter, claiming that the it must have been written by one his political associates.

His media aide, Mr. Doifie Ola, in a statement said Sylva was willing to appear in a properly constituted court to defend himself.

SOURCE: The Punch - Nigeria's Most Widely Read Newspaper 8 May 2012.