Ayuba Sanusi
FOR the second time in a week, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned an Assistant Director in the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), Mr Yildiyel Musa Takat over fresh allegations bordering on fraud and employment racketeering.
The defendant was dragged before Honourable Justice A. A. Fashola of a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court 34, sitting in Jabi, Abuja.
ICPC, in charge no: CR/148/2022, informed the court of how the accused person “while being a staff member in the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, with the intent to commit fraud, did forge a letter dated 4th August 2014 purportedly emanating from the Office of the Accountant-General – under the hand of Director, Administration – addressed to Director-General, Nigeria Institute of Mining and Geo-Science, Jos for the purpose of securing employment.”
In a 12-count charge, the defendant was also accused of forging several letters of employment supposedly originating from the Director (Recruitment and Appointment) of the Federal Civil Service Commission and offering the same to his unsuspecting victims.
The Commission, led by its counsel, Eno Ighodaro-Yahaya further told the court how the accused person forged other letters such as letters of promotion and posting to other government agencies, letters of request for assistance from State House and signed by the late Chief of Staff to the immediate past President to some government agencies including ICPC with the intention to commit fraud.
His actions are contrary to Section 13 and punishable under Section 14 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and contrary to and punishable under sections 364 and 366 of the Penal Code Laws of the Federation as well as Section 1 of the Advanced Fee Fraud Act, 2016.
The accused person pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to him.
In a Motions on Notice supported by a 14-paragraph affidavit deposed to by the defendant-respondent, the defence counsel, John Bello, moved bail application on behalf of his client which was not opposed by counsel to ICPC.
The trial judge thereafter admitted him to bail in the sum of Two Million Naira (N2,000,000:00) and two responsible sureties in like sum who must work in a reputable organisation and must live within the FCT with a verifiable address.
The matter was adjourned to the 24th of October 2023 for the commencement of hearing.
Eighteen-Eleven Media reports that earlier in the month, the ICPC arraigned Mr Takat and an Administration Officer at the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Mr Nankpat Dukbong over allegations of fraud, employment scam and conspiracy.
The duo were brought before Honourable Justice O. A. Musa of a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court 7, sitting in Jabi, Abuja, via Charge No: CR/151/2022.
In a 6-count charge, ICPC accused the defendants of conspiracy, abuse of office and defrauding unsuspecting job seekers to the tune of Two Million, Nine Hundred Thousand Naira (N2,900,000).
The Commission, led by its counsel, told the court of how the accused persons solicited and collected, on separate occasions, the sums of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000); and Two Million Four Hundred Thousand Naira (N2,400,000) from their victims in the guise of securing employment for them in the Federal Civil Service.
While the first defendant (Takat) was charged on counts 1, 2, 4, and 5, the second defendant (Dukbong) was charged on counts 1, 3, 4, and 6 respectively.
Their actions were said to be contrary to Section 26 and punishable under Section 18 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act of 2000.
The accused persons pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to them.
In two separate Motions on Notice and pursuant to sections 34 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) as well as sections 162 and 163 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, both counsel to the first and second defendants moved for bail application on behalf of their clients.
They both sought the leave of the court to use its discretionary powers to grant bail in the most liberal of conditions.
In a swift reaction, counsel to ICPC in a counter motion, opposed the prayers sought by counsel to the first defendant, saying that he had been evading trial, describing him as a serial offender who had multiple court cases against him, and therefore urged the court to deny him the prayers sought by his lawyer, while the bail application of the second defendant was not opposed.
The trial judge, after listening to both parties, admitted the first accused person to bail in the sum of Four Million Naira (N4,000,000) and a surety in like sum, who must be a civil servant on grade level 08 and above. The surety was also ordered to surrender his letter of first appointment and last promotion as well as his identity card.
The second accused person was also granted bail in the sum of Two Million Naira (N2,000,000) and a surety in like sum.
Justice Musa also ruled that the sureties must show evidence of residency within the FCT with a clear address and snap themselves in front of their residents and submit to the court. He equally asked them to undertake a bond to compel the defendants to attend their trial, failure of which will not only result in the revocation of the bail but the prosecution of the sureties.
The matter was adjourned to the 19th of October 2023 for hearing.
Eighteen-Eleven Media