The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has docked two former Governing Council members of the Federal University, Dutsin-Ma for fraud.
The duo, Emmanuel Omah and Muhammad Bala Jibrin have been arraigned in court, for allegedly receiving N2 million kickbacks from a contractor handling projects in the university.
The Commission also arraigned the contractor, Mr. Sunday Efeoluwa, for allegedly paying bribes to the two former Council members to influence the award of a contract to his company, Goldmark Concept Limited, before Justice Abbas Bawule, of the Katsina State High Court.
The three accused persons are facing a 9-count charge bordering bribery and gratification contrary to Section 10 (a) (i) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under Section 10 (a) (ii) of the same act.
The charge sheet revealed that Mr. Omah received N1 million bribe in two instalments of N500, 000 each, through his accounts in Access bank and First Bank respectively, to influence the award of the contract to the contractor’s company.
Mr. Bala Jibrin, who is facing four counts out of the nine-count charge, was said to have allegedly received the sum of N1 million through his personal account with Ecobank and his company account with Zenith Bank, to also facilitate the award of contract to the same person.
The Commission in counts five and six of the charge, accused Mr. Efeoluwa of rewarding the two ex- Governing Council members for using their positions to influence the award of the contract to him contrary to Section 22 (2) and punishable under Section 22 (6) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 Act, 2000.
All the accused persons pleaded not guilty and the bail applications which was not opposed by Counsel to ICPC, Garba Ibrahim was granted by the trial judge.
Justice Bawule admitted the accused persons to bail in the sum of N200, 000 each and a surety in like sum. The case was then adjourned to 8th and 9th April for trial.
