The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has announced the arraignment of Awuawe Clement, the former Registrar of Benue State School of Health Technology in Agasha. He was taken before the court for an alleged offence of admission racketeering in the institution.
The ICPC has accused the suspect of the collection and diversion of the sum of N4,466,500; the amount was reportedly paid by unsuspecting individuals who had sought admission into the institution.
In a statement released by the ICPC’s spokesperson, Demola Bakare, on Thursday, it was noted that the Commission had brought three charges of making a false statement to the officers of the Commission during the course of the investigation, the Commission noted that the act contravened Section 25(1)(a) and punishable under Section 25(ii)(b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.
According to the charges brought before him, it was noted that CLEMENT, between 2018 and 2019, at Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, within the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court, while being a Public Officer as the Registrar of the School of Health Technology, Agasha, used his position to confer corrupt advantage upon himself by collecting a total sum of N4,476,500. It was disclosed that he continued to sell admission forms to unsuspecting prospective students after closing sales for his personal use, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.
In his response, the prosecution counsel, Mr T. S. Lorngee, agreed with the application, which was moved by the counsel to the defendant. Justice Egbe Raphael, who presided over the case, accepted the application of the defendant’s counsel. He was granted bail in the sum of two million naira (N2,000,000) and one surety in like sum.
The judge explained that the surety shall be a Public or Civil Servant at the Federal or State level. The surety shall deposit photocopies of the letter of first appointment and last promotion, identity card, and passport photographs and swear to an affidavit of means and address.
The case was thereafter adjourned to December 12, 2024, when the hearing will begin.
