ICPC arraigns ex-staff of FRSC for corruption

A former official of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr Anska Ezra Asawa has been arraigned before Justice Folashade A Ojo of the Federal High Court, Maitama, sitting in Abuja for allegedly diverting the salaries of his colleague for his own personal use.

Asawa was arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on a two-count charge of conferring a corrupt advantage on himself, thereby committing an offence that contravenes Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

According to a statement made available to the Nigerian Tribune in Abuja, on Tuesday, by the commission`s spokesperson, Mrs Rasheedat Okoduwa, the suspect was arraigned after the investigation had been concluded, based on an anonymous petition received by ICPC.

“The charge sheet read by the court registrar stated that, as a scheduling officer for salaries at the FRSC National Headquarters, Zone 7 Abuja, Asawa allegedly used his office to divert the sum of N323, 000, being the February and March 2016 salaries of a colleague into the Skye Bank account of his uncle, Ezra Theodore Asawa.

“After the charges were read, the suspect pleaded not guilty and the defence counsel, Mr Daniel Amos made application for bail which was not opposed by the prosecution counsel, Mr Sunny Ezeana of ICPC.

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“Justice Ojo granted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000 and asked him to produce two sureties resident in Abuja.

“The trial was adjourned to 6th November 2017 for the commencement of the hearing,” the statement added.