The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released 50 fresh charges against former Bayelsa State Governor Timpere Sylva following the dismissal of the money laundering charges it preferred against the All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain, by Justice A. R. Mohammed of the Abuja Federal High Court.
The EFFC increased the charges from an initial 42 to 50, thereby giving Sylva a tougher task to defend himself in the matter, which has already been filed and is likely to be assigned to a new judge.
In the new changes, the EFCC listed the acts of looting alleged to have been perpetrated by Sylva when he was the governor of Bayelsa. He is alleged to have connived with three companies said to be close to him to commit the offences preferred against him between 2007 and 2011.
EFCC had faulted the decision of Justice Mohammed to dismiss its case against Sylva, without it being heard and without Sylva himself even making a plea of whether he is guilty or not.
It noted that the dismissal of the charge by Justice Mohammed following the application of the commission to consolidate the charges against the former governor and his accomplices, does not amount to a discharge or an acquittal, and it does not preclude the power of the agency to bring fresh charges against the defendants.