BY Bolanle Olabimtan
A federal capital territory (FCT) high court in Maitama has granted N100 million bail to Ebisintei Awudu, former surveyor-general of the federation.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) arraigned Awudu on Monday before Olusegun Adeniyi, the presiding judge, on a 22-count charge of fraud.
Awudu is alleged to have awarded multiple contracts worth over N2 billion to a company in which he was a director and shareholder as well as to relation and associates.
He is also alleged to have received over N300 million as gratification from a contractor handling and executing different contracts for the office of surveyor-general of the federation, which is an offence contrary to Section (10) (a) (i) and punishable under Section 10 (a) (ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.
Upon arraignment, Awudu pleaded not guilty to all counts.
F.B Olorogun, the defendant’s counsel, urged the court to grant bail to his client.
Ruling on the application, Adeniyi granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100 million. Awudu was also asked to produce a surety who must be a director-general or a permanent secretary.
The case has been adjourned to September 13 for trial to commence.
Operatives of the ICPC had in July 2019 raided Awudu’s office over allegations of contract fraud and theft of public assets.
Consequently, Awudu vacated his seat in September that same year.
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