The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned the former Registrar of Benue State School of Health Technology, Agasa, Awuawe Terwase over an alleged N4.4 million admission racketeering.
Tervase was docked on Tuesday by the ICPC before Justice Egbe Joshua Raphael of the Federal High Court 2, Makurdi for allegedly collecting and diverting the sum of Fiur Million, Four Hundred and Seventy-Six Thousand, Five Hundred Naira (N4,466,500) paid by unsuspecting admission seekers into the institution.
He was said to have collected the alleged sum after the sale of admission form had been closed by the institution for the year.
The former Registerer, in a three-count charge preferred against him by the ICPC was also accused of making a false statement to the officers of the Commission in the course of investigation which is an offence under Section 25(1) (a) and punishable under Section 25 (ii) (b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related offences Act 2000.
Tervase pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.
In the light of the ‘not guilty’ plea, counsel to the defendant, Kelvin Iorzenda moved an application for bail on behalf of his client.
The Prosecution counsel, T. S Lorngee on his part did not oppose the bail application moved by the counsel to the defendant.
The presiding judge, Justice Egbe Joshua Raphael thereafter granted the defendant bail in the sum of Two Million Naira (N2,000.000) and one surety in like sum.
The judge added that “the surety shall be a Public or Civil Servant either at the Federal or State.
The Surety shall deposit photocopies of letter of first Appointment and last promotion, Identity Card, Passport Photographs and shall swear to affidavit of means and address.”
The matter was adjourned to December 12, 2024 for hearing.
ait.live gathered that the defendant was able to perfect his bail conditions before the close of work on Tuesday.
Editor: Ken Eseni
