TheCable

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned one Umar Abubakar for offences bordering on alleged forgery and employment scam.

Abubakar was docked at the Adamawa state high court 1, in Yola, the state capital. 

In the suit marked HC/ADSY/127C/2022, ICPC accused Abubakar of obtaining, under false pretence, the sum of N200,000 from an unsuspecting job seeker.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Azuka Ogugua, ICPC spokesperson, said Abubakar allegedly promised the job seeker that he was going to help him secure employment with the commission.

In a three-count charge preferred against the suspect, ICPC informed the court of how Abubakar fraudulently faked, signed and issued a letter of temporary appointment from the anti-graft agency to his victim “when he knew such a letter did not emanate from the commission”.

Anas Kolo, counsel to ICPC, told Hafsat Abdulrahman, the judge, that the defendant demanded gratification in the sum of N1 million to enable him to 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 statement reads. 

“The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to him. The defence counsel thereafter moved for a bail application on behalf of his client which was not opposed by counsel to ICPC, Anas Kolo, who however, enjoined the court to impose stringent measures that will compel the defendant to attend his trial.

“The trial judge then granted the accused person bail in the sum of N200,000 and a surety in like sum who must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.”

The matter has been adjourned to June 15, for the commencement of trial.