Lagos – A prosecution witness, Abasiekong Udobang on Thursday told a Lagos High Court how a chartered accountant and two other staff of Hope Worldwide Foundation stole the sum of N4.7 million meant for the treatment of people living with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and the less-privileged in the society.
The first witness in the alleged fraud trial, Udobang who works with MTN Nigeria Limited as a Project Manager, informed the court that MTN Foundation is a subsidiary of MTN Nigeria established with the purpose of giving back to the society through corporate social responsibility programmes (CSR) and this involves opening of dialysis centres and other medical supports.
The defendants, Owolabi Kayode Samuel, Esther Olubukola Mate, Abinbola David, Cumulative Ventures Limited, Continental Best Buy Limited and others at large are standing trial on three-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing, a charge preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Led in evidence by EFCC counsel, K.M.A Olushesi, the witness told the court how the defendants who were all representing Hope Worldwide Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation defrauded MTN Nigeria.
According to him, MTN in 2005 engaged Hope Worldwide in order to implement two of their medical support programmes, ‘Partners Against Malaria and Aids (PAMAC) and children and the orphaned in the community.
“MTN usually gives funds to Hope Worldwide Nigeria since they are non-governmental organisations on quarterly basis and those funds were usually retired to MTN Foundation as a proof that the work was done.
“Every year we usually work towards a new agenda until 2012 when we became suspicious of some of their retirements”.
The witness further said that the case was reported to the Business Risk Units of MTN (BRU) who investigated the matter and it was discovered that there was misappropriation of funds.
“It was also discovered that documents were added in the names of two companies whom we don’t have any dealings with.
After the findings from the BRU, the matter was reported to EFCC for further investigation”, he said.
While being crossed-examined by the defence Counsel, Mr. J. O Odubela (SAN), he confirmed that the money meant for the treatment of the AIDS victims was usually paid to Hope Worldwide quarterly.
He also disclosed that after the fraud was discovered, members from the NGO were invited for a meeting to tell them the findings of BRU and a letter was written to them to inform them of the itemised fraud, and the contract was thereafter terminated.
Abasiekong, who insisted a letter itemised the area where they suspected the alleged fraud but he however could not present the letter written to Hope Worldwide in court.
The trial Judge, Justice Hakeem Oshodi however adjourned the matter till June 26 for continuation of trial.
