THE Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) has docked a Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Edike Mboutidem Akpan, for defrauding prospective home owners of over N26 million.
Akpan was arraigned before Justice V. S. Gaba of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, sitting in Kwali, Abuja, on a 17-count charge that includes using a private real estate company, Danemy Nig. Ltd, to defraud land subscribers.
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According to a statement by Azuka Ogugua, spokesperson of the ICPC, the deputy commandant convinced many subscribers to pay various sums of money for plots of land in Karshi, Nasarawa State, and Sabon Lugbe Extension, Airport Road, Abuja, which were never allocated to them.
The ICPC told the court that the offense, committed between 2010 and 2015, violated sections 19 and 26 (1) (c) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and is punishable under Section 19 of the same Act.
“In one of the charges, Mr Akpan was alleged to have conferred an undue advantage on himself when he allegedly received N13,350,000 in 2011 from a subscriber, Mr Igwe Onus Nwankwo, through his company Danemy Nig Ltd, as payments for ten plots of land at Airport Road.
“He was at various times alleged to have received N1,305,000 from Doctors Robert Okoro and Akuneme Marcel Ikwuoma, each, for the allocation of plots of land at the Defenders Family Estate Homes Scheme, Airport Road.
“The NSCDC officer was also accused of receiving N2,610,000 from one Chidinma Obasi for two plots of land and N1,205,000 from Etuechere Martins for a plot,” the ICPC said.
The accused pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him as his counsel prayed the court to grant him bail on liberal terms.
Counsel to ICPC, John-Paul Okwor, who did not oppose the bail application, prayed the court to admit the accused to bail on reasonable terms to ensure his attendance in court for trial.
Justice Gaba afterwards admitted him to bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties in like sum. One of the sureties must show proof of residing in their own house.
The court further ruled that the defendant must deposit his international passport with the court registrar with a caveat to be released to him upon application for medical treatments.
The case was adjourned to November 7 for commencement of trial.
A reporter with the ICIR
A Journalist with a niche for quality and a promoter of good governance