Mr Olayinka Adebayo, an investigation officer with the Independence Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) yesterday told an Abuja High Court that the sum of N557.9 million was paid into Sunday Ehindero's Oceanic Bank account in 2006.

Ehindero, a former Inspector General of Police (IGP), pleaded not guilty to a six-count criminal charge that was preferred against him by the ICPC. He was docked alongside a former Commissioner of Police in charge of Budget, Mr John Obaniyi.

Specifically, the anti-graft agency maintained that its investigations revealed that the accused persons, diverted the sum which was donated to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) by the Bayelsa State Government.

The ICPC said that the money was donated for the procurement of arms, ammunition and riot control equipment.

Testifying before Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi, Adebayo, who lead an investigating team, said that the money was paid by a former IGP, Mr Hafiz Ringim, who was then Commissioner of Police in Bayesa.

He, equally alleged that the accused persons placed N200 million out of the amount in a fixed deposit account at the Intercontinental Bank Plc, where it had generated an interest of N16.5 million.

"We invited Ringim and got facts from him during our investigation. Ringim also showed us copies of the vouchers raised for the said amount," he said.

Adebayo said further that during the cause of investigation, the team visited Bayelsa, to get evidence of when the money was approved.

"We were referred to the office of the Bayelsa State Accountant General where we got a voucher for the N557.9 million. We also found out that the money was paid to the first accused person," he said.

He further testified that the team also discovered from the Abuja Branch of First Bank Plc that the second accused (Obaniyi) signed and collected the money in favour of Ehindero.

Testifying against Obaniyi, the ICPC officer, said that the team summoned him through the office of the IGP.

Oniyangi, adjourned the case to February 22, for continuation of trial within trial.

NAN