NAN-H-93
Arraignment
By Monday Ijeh
Abuja, Nov. 9, 2016 (NAN) The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned three suspects — Kenneth Samuel, Collins Ugwu and Cosmas Okechukwu — before an FCT High Court over N6 million bribe allegation.
Mrs. Rasheedat Okoduwa, the spokesperson of the ICPC, who revealed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, said Boss Engineering Nigeria Ltd, was also arraigned before Justice Angela Ataluka.
Okoduwa said that the suspects were arraigned on a five-count charge bordering on bribery, criminal conspiracy and forgery.
She said that the suspects were alleged to have offered to pay the sum of N6 million through Okechukwu as an inducement to the Procurement Committee of the Federal Ministry of Works.
According to her, the payment was to facilitate the procurement of a contract in favour of Boss Engineering Nigeria Ltd.
She said that the suspects were also accused of forging a Tax Clearance Certificate purportedly belonging to Boss Engineering Nigeria Ltd and presenting same to the Procurement Committee of the Ministry of Works.
Okoduwa said that the document was forged for the purpose of prequalification for the award of the contract.
She said the suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them by the ICPC.
Mr John Kalu, Counsel to the accused persons, urged the court to grant his clients bail on a liberal condition.
In his reaction, Mr Ephraim Otti, Counsel to the ICPC who did not oppose the bail application, urged the court to attach conditions that would compel them to attend trial.
In her ruling, Ataluka granted the suspects bail in the sum of N2 million and two sureties each in like sum.
She said that the sureties must be FCT civil servants of not below Grade Level 14, who must present evidence of being currently in service.
The judge said the retirement of the sureties must not be due in the next five years.
She, thereafter, adjourned the case to Nov. 21 for further hearing. (NAN)
IMC/DO/NKO
Edited by David Onilede/Nkechi Okoronkwo
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