The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Hauwau Gimbiya Mukhtar Abdulkarim, the serving Provost of the Federal College of Education (Technical) (FCET), Gusau, alongside Abdullahi Boyi, a lecturer with the Sokoto State College of Education (SSCE) Sokoto on alleged certificate forgery.
The duo were arraigned on a six-count charge, registered as charge No. SS/213c/2024, before Justice Muhammad Aliyu Sambo at the Sokoto State High Court.
ICPC accused the two defendants of forging an appointment letter and subsequent use of same for application for the position of Provost at the Federal College of Education(Technical) Gusau, Zamfara State.
They were also accused of making false statements to the officers of the ICPC 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.
Both defendants pleaded ‘not guilty’ to all six charges when read to them by the Court’s Registrar.
Counsel for the defendants, Muhammad Mansur Aliyu and M.S Diri SAN respectively moved for applications for bail on behalf of their clients.
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They requested the court to consider reasonable terms for bail citing the defendants’ “established positions and cooperation during the investigation.”
Counsel to the ICPC, Suleiman Ahmad did not oppose the bail applications.
Justice Sambo, after considering the applications, granted bail under specific conditions designed to ensure the defendants’ continued presence throughout the trial proceedings.
The bail conditions require each defendant to provide two sureties who are permanent residents of Sokoto State, with each surety signing a bond of one million naira (₦1,000,000).
Following the granting of bail, the ICPC prosecutor requested a date for trial to commence, emphasizing the Commission’s preparedness to present witnesses and evidence in support of the charges.
Justice Sambo adjourned the matter to 21st November, 2024, when the hearing is set to begin.
(Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie)
