The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has arraigned the council chief of Gwagwalada Area Council, Adamu Danze, for allegedly receiving N10 million kickback from a contractor handling construction projects in the area council.

Danze was arraigned by the Commission before Justice U. P. Kekemeke of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court 4 on allegations of corruption bordering on abuse of office and gratification.

ICPC had filed six counts before the court accusing the council boss of demanding and receiving N10 million bribe from the Director of Remotosh Construction Limited, Aremu Omotosho, in exchange for approving payment for the construction of a double-cell culvert in Paiko-Kore.

Gwagwalada council gaffer was alleged to have committed the offence in March 2018 when he directed the contractor to transfer the money to his lawyer handling his election tribunal case, thereby violating Sections 8 (1)(a), 10 (a)(i), 18 (b) and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

One of the charges read, “That you, Adamu Mustapha Danze on or about the month of March 2018 at Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, while being a public officer as the Executive Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council received the sum of N10 million from Engineer Aremu Omotosho, the director of Remotosh Construction Limited for approving payment for the construction of double cell culvert at Paiko-Kore awarded to Remotosh Construction Limited by Gwagwalada Area Council, the sum you asked the contractor to transfer to your counsel defending you in the election tribunal and you thereby committed 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.”

Danze, who had a bench warrant issued on him, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him while the warrant was subsequently dismissed by the trial judge after a plea by the defence Counsel, Abdul Mohammed.

Mohammed apologised to the judge for failing to attend proceedings on two previous dates fixed by the court, saying it was due to the recent kidnapping activities in Gwagwalada.

He also informed the court that the defendant was coordinating rescue operations in the area council, and moved a motion praying that the accused be admitted to bail at the discretion of the court pending trial.

In his counter-argument, counsel to ICPC, Michael Adesola, stated that the accused was very deliberate in his actions of ignoring court sittings as he was duly served all proceedings since last year.

Adesola, who also opposed the bail application, prayed the court to remand the accused in a correctional facility to prevent him from interfering and intimidating witnesses, some of whom were employees in the area council.

Having listened to both counsels, Justice Kekemeke, held that the defendant cannot jump bail based on his current position.

“The defendant who is the current Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council cannot evade his trial,” he held.

“He has nowhere to hide as I give him the benefit of doubt. The application therefore subsists. Bail is therefore granted to the defendant”, Justice Kekemeke ruled.

The council boss  was admitted to bail in the sum of N20 million and a surety in like sum while the case was adjourned until March 1, 2022, for trial.

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ICPC, in four counts brought before Honourable Justice A.O. Abong of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court 18, sitting in Gwagwalada, Abuja alleged that the accused person had forged a National Diploma Certificate in Public Administration from the Kaduna State Polytechnic and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management from the University of Calabar.

Counsel for the ICPC, Mashkur Salisu Esq, informed the court of how the defendant had used the aforementioned forged certificates to enlist into the NIS as well as advance his career to the rank of a Chief Superintendent.

The ICPC in Charge No: CR/821/2021 told the court that the former Immigration Officer’s action was contrary to Section 364 of the Penal Code, and if he is found guilty, he shall be liable to a prison term of not less than 14 years.

When read to the accused, he pleaded not guilty to all the four counts.

The prosecution counsel, thereafter, asked for a date for hearing and for the accused to be remanded in Kuje prison pending the hearing.

But, counsel to the defendant, moved the bail application in favour of the accused.

The trial court then granted Mr. Aminu bail in the sum of N500,000 and a surety in like sum who must reside within the jurisdiction of the court. He was also ordered to deposit his travel documents at the court’s registry.

The case has been adjourned to 9th of November 2021 for commencement of trial.

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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has vowed to tackle corruption – estimated billings, illegal sales of meters among others – in the power sector.

Chairman of the anti-graft agency, Bolaji Owasanoye (SAN) gave the assurance recently during a  consultation meeting of business membership organisations and electricity regulatory bodies.

Owasanoye noted during the event organised by the Association of Public Policy Analysis (APPA-Nigeria) in Abuja that the incessant complaints about high electricity billings by distribution companies have become rife.

The ICPC boss, who was represented by Mallam Hassan Salihu, an Assistant Commissioner in the Commission, called on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), and electricity regulatory bodies to join hands in the prevention of electricity-related corruption in Nigeria.

He  revealed that the Commission articulated the National Ethics and Integrity Policy  –  Human Dignity, Voice and Participation, Patriotism, Personal Responsibility, Integrity, National Unity, and Professionalism – which is geared towards instilling lost values as a norm among citizens.

The ICPC chief explained that the commission was working to ensure accountability across the public and private sectors through the implementation of these core values, adding that it would enable people working in the sectors to shun corruption.

Owasanoye informed  that the Commission was empowered by the law to do system studies and reviews in government agencies and departments to mitigate the occurrence of corrupt activities in such organizations.

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The decision followed a complaint by some lawmakers that the nominees were not spread across the six geopolitical zones, a situation they described as a violation of the Federal Character Principle.

Lawmakers from the South-South and South East were particularly upset that no nominee for the EFCC is from the region.

The argument for and against the confirmation of the nominees aggravated to a rowdy session forcing the Senate to go into an emergency closed-door meeting.

Reacting, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, however announced that the confirmation of the nominees for both agencies be stepped down till further notice.

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Professor Akindele was earlier arraigned by Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for allegedly demanding sex in exchange for marks from a postgraduate student of the institution, Monica Osagie,

The presiding Judge, Justice Maureen Onyetenu at the last proceedings adjourned for definite trial and hearing application for bail but asked that Professor Akindele be remanded in prison.

At the hearing on Tuesday, the ICPC counsel, Kehinde Adetoye, told the court that they were ready to open the case for trial and had a witness in court out of six witnesses.

But, the trial could not go on because the lead counsel for ICPC was absent in court due to some other official assignment and he wanted to personally conduct the case.

However, the defence counsel moved the application for bail which the ICPC counsel objected to.

The court then ordered that the facts alluded to in the counter affidavit of the prosecuting counsel needed to be corroborated with evidence.

Based on the aforementioned reason, the judge then adjourned till 17th of December to enable all parties to produce evidence alluded to in the affidavit.

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