Abuja, Nigeria - A court in Nigeria Wednesday ordered the immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole, to be remanded in the custody of the anti-graft Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), after he pleaded not guilty to corruption charges. Four days after arresting Mr. Bankole, until last week the country's fourth-ranked political leader, the EFCC filed a 16-count charge against him at the Federal High Court in the capital city of Abuja Wednesday. He was accused of contract inflating to the tune of 894 million naira (US$1=150 Naira).

Together with some other principal officers of the House said to be at large, the  former Speaker was said to have hiked the cost of vehicles, television sets and office equipment purchased by the House in 2008.

The EFCC listed the items as three Mercedes Benz cars, two Range Rover Sports Utility Vehicles, 400 television sets, 100 units of photocopying machines, computer units, scanners and other accessories.

If found guilty, Bankole faces five years in prison.

EFCC spokesman Femi Babafemi said the ex-speaker could face more charges, after the conclusion of ongoing investigations on the 10 billion naira loan, which the former House took from the bank to increase the quarterly allocations of its non-principal officers and the alleged mismanagement of the House's 9 billion naira budget for 2008/2009.

Pana 09/06/2011