John Adet Esiegbuya By Wilson Uwujaren The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Thursday, June 6, 2014 arraigned the Finance Controller of Lonestar Drilling Nigeria Limited, John Adet Esiegbuya, before Justice Lambo Akanbi of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt on an 8-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, forgery and obtaining money under false pretense. The accused, sometime in July, 2010, allegedly forged documents and signature of the Managing Director, Lonestar Drilling Nigeria Limited and defrauded the company of Three Hundred Thousand US Dollars ($300,000.00); which he allegedly transferred to the account of another company, Combo Limited, purportedly promoted to conceal the fraud. The accused pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against him. One of the counts reads, “that you John Adet Esiegbuya, on or about the 27th day of July, 2010 at Port Harcourt, within the Jurisdiction of this honourable court did steal the sum of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300, 000) property of Lonestar Drilling Nigeria Limited contrary to section 383(2) (a) of the Criminal Code Act Cap C38 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) 2007 and punishable under section 390 (9) of the same Act. Another count reads, “that you John Adet Esiegbuya on or about the 28th day of July, 2010 at Port Harcourt, within the Jurisdiction of this honourable court did forge a Compro Limited letter addressed to Diamond Bank Plc with invoice dated 19th July,2010 in respect of ‘Consultancy Services rendered IRO LSO rigs 203 and 204’ and thereby committed an offence contrary to the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17 Revised Edition(Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) 2007 and punishable under section 1(2) of the same Act”. In view of his plea, prosecuting counsel, A. Olatunji prayed the court for a date for commencement of trial. The defence counsel, Kola Olapoju however urged the court to grant the accused bail. Justice Akanbi granted the accused bail in the sum of Two Million (N2, 000,000.00) Naira with two sureties in like sum. One of the sureties must be a GL. 14 Officer in either the Federal or the State Civil Service while his counsel stands as the second surety. The matter was adjourned till October 8, 2014 for trial.
