By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned one Umar Abubakar for offences bordering on alleged forgery and employment scam.
According to a press statement made available to journalists in Abuja by ICPC Spokesperson Mrs. Azuka Ogugua, Abubakar was arraigned on a three-count charge before Justice Hafsat Abdulrahman of Adamawa State High Court 1, sitting in Yola, the Adamawa State capital.
The Commission in a Charge No: HC/ADSY/127C/2022, accused the defendant of obtaining by false pretense the sum of N200,000 from an unsuspecting job seeker with the promise to secure employment for him in ICPC.
In the charge, ICPC informed the court of how the accused person fraudulently faked, signed and issued a letter of temporary appointment from the anti-graft commission to his victim when he knew such a letter did not emanate from the Commission.
The court was further told that the defendant demanded N1 million for gratification to enable him to carry out the nefarious exercise.
His actions are contrary to Section 17(1)(a) and punishable under Section 68 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and contrary to, and punishable under Section 1 of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006 as well as contrary to Section 349 punishable under Section 351 of the Penal Code Law of Adamawa State 2018.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to him.
His counsel, thereafter, moved for his bail application, which was not opposed to by counsel to ICPC, Anas Kolo, who, however, enjoined the court to impose stringent measure that will compel the defendant to attend his trial.
The trial judge granted the accused person bail in the sum of N200,000 and a surety in like sum who must reside within jurisdiction of the Court.
The matter was adjourned to June 15, 2023, for commencement of trial.
