The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), has arraigned a former rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Theresa Taiwo Akande, for allegedly receiving bribes from contractors handling projects in the school.
The rector was arraigned alongside a former bursar of the school, Onaolapo Elijah Aderemi, over his complicity in the alleged fraud.
Akande and Aderemi were charged on a 9-count charge, before Justice A. L. Ogunmoye, of the Ekiti State High Court, for alleged gratification and other offences while serving as public officials at the polytechnic.
The former rector is facing a 3-count charge out of nine. Akande was accused of allegedly receiving N200,000 kickbacks from a contractor handling the construction and furnishing of lecture theatre and offices in the school in 2015.
The offence is contrary to the provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, and punishable under Section 8 (1)(a) of the same Act and the court heard.
The former rector was further accused of allegedly using her office to confer corrupt advantage upon herself; an offence punishable under Section 19 and 10 of the corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.
A six-count charge was also read against the ex-bursar, he was alleged to have collected N850, 000 bribe from the same contractor.
The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge and the defense counsel thereafter requested for bail which was not opposed by ICPC counsel, Kehinde Adetoye.
Justice Ogunmoye, however, granted Akande bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties in like sum.
One of the sureties must have a landed property with Certificate of Occupancy in Ado-Ekiti to be deposited with the Court Registrar.
The court also granted Onaolapo bail in the sum of N7 million with two sureties in like sum.
The trial judge ruled that one of the sureties must also have landed property with Certificate of Occupancy to be kept in the custody of the Court Registrar.
The case was adjourned till 24th March, 2021 for hearing.
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