By Caleb Ayansina
Abuja — Magis-trate Oyebola Oyewumi of Abuja Magistrate court in Zone 2, yesterday, fixed January 4, 2011, to deliver ruling on the bail application brought by counsel to the seven defendants in a criminal case filed by the Inspector General of Police against them over fraud.

The seven accused persons who are employees of the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs were on December 23, 2010, arraigned by the police for direct involvement in the N69,639,420.04 salary scam rocking the ministry.

Their arrest followed a complaint by the Minister of Police Affairs to the Inspector General of Police that the financial audit carried out by the ministry revealed that they defrauded the Federal Government of the said money.

Enosegbe Friday (police pay officer), Mrs. Aguocha Comfort (accountant), Njenobi James (internal auditor) and Onyemachi Chika (senior executive officer) all employees of the ministry attached to Abia State Police Command were alleged of defrauding the Federal Government to the tune of N41, 400, 000.00.

Similarly, Mr. J. O. Awoyomi (police pay officer), Mr. Remi Rawa (auditor) and Mr. I. B. Ariyo (variation control officer) all employees of the ministry attached to Ondo State Police Command were charged for N28, 239, 420.04 fraud.

The seven accused persons were arraigned on the same offence, namely criminal conspiracy, forgery, falsification of account and criminal breach of trust by clerk or servant, contrary to section 97, 363, 371 and 314 of the penal code law.