By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
The anti-graft war of the federal government has continued to succeed as 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 statement made available to journalists in Abuja today by Mrs. Azuka Ogugua
Spokesperson, ICPC, Abubakar was docked before Honourable 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 Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200,000) from an unsuspecting job seeker with the promise that he was going to help his victim secure an employment with ICPC.
In a 3-count 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 for gratification in the sum of One Million Naira (N1,000,000) to enable him 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.
The defense counsel thereafter moved for a bail application on behalf of his client which was not opposed to by counsel to ICPC, Mr. Anas Kolo, who however, enjoined the Court to impose stringent measure that will compel the defendant to attend his trial.
The trial judge then granted the accused person bail in the sum of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200,000:00) and a surety in like sum who must reside within jurisdiction of the Court.
The matter has been adjourned to the 15th of June, 2023 for commencement of trial.
