Judiciary
THE Independent Corruption and Other Related Offences Commission(ICPC) on Tuesday, arraigned one Apeh Apogu, in an FCT High Court, Zuba for allegedly receiving N820, 000 from a businessman to facilitate payment of contract.
The defendant, who is an accountant in the Accounts Department of Federal Ministry of Works and Housing is charged with three counts charge bordering on corruption and abuse of office.
The first count charge against the defendant alleged that on Jan. 10, 2015 the defendant while being a public officer demanded N820, 000 from Mr Osahom Osemwota, to facilitate payment of the contract which is contrary to Section 10 of the ICPC Act 2000.
Count-two alleged that the money (N820, 000) was paid into the account of the defendant who is a public officer through his account at Guaranty Trust Bank on Jan 10, 2015 which is an offence contrary to section 10 of the ICPC Act 2000.
While count-three alleged that the accused person while being a public officer collected gratification from Osemwata on Jan. 10 2015 to facilitate payment of contract which is an offence contrary to section 19 of the ICPC Act.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges, in the event, the defence counsel Mr Felix Ipogah, urged the court to grant the defendant bail in the most liberal terms.
The ICPC Counsel, Mr Evans Peters, prayed the court for a date to open the case against the defendant.
Peters did not object to the bail application by defence counsel, adding that the defendant was already on administrative bail.
The judge, Justice A. O. Ebong , admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N2 million with one surety in like sum.
He ordered that the surety must be a civil servant not below GL15 in the Federal Civil Service and adjourned the matter until March 3, 2020 for trial. (NAN)
– Jan. 7, 2020 @ 16:45 GMT |
Tags: 000 bribe ICPC arraigns civil servant over alleged N820
