The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has docked the Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Adamu Mustapha 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, sitting in Abuja, on allegations of corruption bordering on abuse of office and gratification.
ICPC had filed a six-count charge before the court in which it accused the Council Chairman of demanding and receiving N10 million bribe from the Director of Remotosh Construction Ltd, Engr. Aremu Omotosho, in exchange for approving payment for the construction of double cell culvert in Paiko-Kore.
The offence, which was allegedly committed in March 2018, when Danze directed the contractor to transfer the money to his lawyer handling his election tribunal case, violated Sections 8 (1)(a), 10 (a)(i), 18 (b) and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under relevant Sections of the same Act.
Danze, who had a bench warrant issued on him, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him. The warrant was subsequently dismissed by the trial judge after a plea by the defense Counsel, Abdul Mohammed.
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Mohammed tendered an apology to the judge for failing to attend proceedings on two previous dates fixed by the court, as he blamed it on recent kidnapping activities in Gwagwalada area council.
Counsel to ICPC, Michael Adesola, in his counter argument noted that the accused was very deliberate in his actions of ignoring court sittings as he was duly served all proceedings since last year, 2020.
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.
Justice Kekemeke, having listened to both counsels, held that the defendant cannot jump bail based on his current position.
The court admitted him to bail in the sum of N20 million and a surety in like sum. The surety shall be an owner of a landed property with statutory right of occupancy within the jurisdiction of the court or a Federal Civil Servant in the rank of an Assistant Director and above. The matter was then adjourned to 1st March, 2022 for trial.
(Editor, Omor Bazuaye)
