By Innocent Anaba

LAGOS-For the second time, former Director-General of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, Dr. Ndi Okereke-Onyuike, who was to have been arraigned before a Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere, on charges of stealing over N3.3billion from NSE and conspiracy to commit fraud, failed to turn up in court.

She did not show up in court, when the charge filed against her alongside others, by Lagos State Government, was first mentioned.

At yesterday’s proceedings, Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Mrs Olabisi Ogungbesan, told the court that the accused persons were yet to be arrested for the purpose of being brought to court, following which the matter was further adjourned till November 2.

To stand trial alongside Okereke-Onyuike are Lance Elakama, Uzoma Henry Onyekuru and some companies, Creative Financial Services Limited, Mining System Limited, OPDC Properties Limited, OAK Business, Finance Company Limited and Kingdom Securities.

The companies charged alongside the accused persons were alleged to have been owned by them and used as conduit to siphon monies from NSE. The first charge contains eight counts while the second charge has six counts.

According to the charge, Okereke-Onyuike and her deputy, Alhaji Lance Elakama as officers of NSE and Mining Systems Limited on or about June 20, 2008 at the NSE Building with intent to defraud conspired to steal the sum of N455 million.

The other charges read, “Ndi Okereke-Onyuike (f), Lance Elakama (m) (officers of NSE) and Creative Financial Services Limited on or about June 20, 2008 at the NSE Building with intent to defraud conspired to steal the sum of N495 million property of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

*Ndi Okereke-Onyuike (f), Lance Elakama (m) (officers of NSE) and Creative Financial Services Limited on or about June 20, 2008 at the NSEe Building stole and fraudulently converted the sum of N495 million property of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.”