ICPC arraigns Engineer, firm for fraud

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has arraigned one Engr Innocent Roland Ogu and his company, African Legacy International Media Services before Justice Maryann Anenih of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory for deceiving and fraudulently collecting N1. 4 million from Director-General of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Mrs Joy Bob-Manuel, and four other members of staff.

The Commission in a two-count charge accused the defendants of making false statement, thereby contravening Section 25 (1) (a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under Section 25 (1) (b) of the same Act.

Ogu and his firm were alleged to have cheated the Legal Aid Council boss and four other members of staff by deceiving them to deliver to him the money as conference registration, accommodation and visa processing fees for five of them to attend a bogus African-European Leadership Summit in Berlin, Germany, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 322 of the Penal Code, Act, CAP 345.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges and the trial Judge, Justice Anenih granted them bail in the sum of N 1million with a surety in like sum.

The surety, the Judge said must be a responsible Nigerian, resident in Abuja and must submit two passport photographs as well as a valid international passport or driver’s license and adjourned to 28th September, 2017 for hearing.

In another development, the Commission also docked a former official of the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, Melah O. Agabus for allegedly defrauding two job-seekers.

Agabus, who was dismissed from service in 2009, was alleged to have fraudulently collected monies amounting to N2.5 million from one Polycarp Onwubuya and Okwanuzor Enebeli for the purpose of securing employment for them with the Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigeria Communications Commission respectively.

In a 12-count charge filed by ICPC, counsel to the Commission, Mr Idoko Denise, averred that the offences were contrary to Section 320 and were punishable under Section 322 of the Penal Code Law Cap.89.

The accused was further alleged to have, at one time, forged an Authoriszation Letter, using the letter-headed paper of the Auditor-General of the Federation and the forged signature of the then Auditor-General of the Federation, Mr O.R. Ejenavi, and used it to carry out an unauthorised audit of the Neuropsychiatric  Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta.

The offence contravenes Section 363 and is punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Law Cap.89.

Agabus pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him. His counsel, Mr C.O. Ogar, asked the court to grant his client bail. The trial judge, after listening to the submission of both counsel granted the accused person bail in the sum of N2 million, and a surety in like sum who must be a “responsible citizen” of Nigeria and resident within its jurisdiction among other conditions.

Justice Anenih thereafter adjourned the case to 19th July, 2017 for commencement of hearing.