Crimes

ICPC arraigns civil servant for signing-off incomplete project

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned a civil servant with the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA), Suleiman Austin Adavize, before the court for allegedly signing-off a contract that was not completed.

Adavize was arraigned before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on three-count charge bordering on false statement on Monday, December 4.

One of the counts read: “That you, Suleiman Austin Adavize (m) sometime in May, 2022 or thereabout at the Federal Capital Territory Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court while being an Architect at the Border Community Development Agency did make a false statement in your progress report of September 2021. That contract for the construction of ICT Centre at Gumel Local Government Area, Jigawa State awarded to Gare Investment Nigeria Limited was 100% complete when you knew it was false as you did not visit the ICT Centre and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 70 (1)(b) of the Public Enterprise Regulatory.”

READ ALSO: Sexual harassment: ICPC drags UNICAL professor to court

Adavize pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him and his counsel, AG Osayande, applied that the defendant be granted bail subject to the overriding convenience of the court.

The counsel for the ICPC, Eno Ighodaro-Yahaya, did not object to the bail application for the defendant.

In his ruling, the presiding judge, Justice Peter Kekemeke, said since there was no objection to the bail application by the prosecutor, there was no reason to deny the defendant his freedom.

Justice Kekemeke said: “The application for bail is unopposed; the alleged offence is bailable so there is no reason why the Defendant should be denied bail.

“He is hereby granted bail in the sum of N2 million and one surety in like sum.

“The Surety must be a pastor in the church where the defendant worships or the chairman of the estate where the defendant lives or a senior officer in the defendant’s place of work.”

The judge, thereafter, adjourned the case till February 22, 2024, for hearing.

The Star

Segun Ojo

Recent Posts

Agbara Nla hits US cinemas after $173,650 overseas haul

Nigerian faith-based film Agbara Nla: The Return is set to open in select US cinemas…

2 minutes ago

Army graduates 384 female soldiers

The Nigerian Army has graduated 384 female soldiers after completing Exercise SHINING STAR 2026, a…

25 minutes ago

Senatorial seat: Okorocha lauds court verdict, thanks Tinubu

Former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has expressed joy over the judgement by the Federal…

1 hour ago

Nigerian Breweries’ nine-month profit rises 33% to N114.1bn

Nigerian Breweries Plc has reported a 33 per cent increase in profit after tax to…

1 hour ago

Kaduna swears in three commissioners, 18 special advisers

Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Hadiza Balarabe, has sworn in three commissioners and 18 special advisers,…

1 hour ago

APC rejects court ruling, insists Uzodimma remains Imo West candidate

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State has rejected a Federal High Court ruling…

3 hours ago

This website uses cookies.