ICPC prosecution counsel, Isaac Jiya, had brought an application in pursuant to section 185 (b) of the Criminal Procedure Code seeking the order of the court to grant leave to prefer a criminal charge against the accused person.
Justice Maryann Anenih in her brief ruling on the application, said cogent reasons were adduced by the prosecution and thereby granted the order as prayed and consequently fix December 5 for arraignment.
Following the granting of the order, the prosecution counsel requested that the accused be docked so as to take his plea.
When the first count was read to the accused and he asked whether he was guilty or not, the accused said that he did not know what to say.
It was at this point that the defence counsel, Emmanuel Orji, raised an objection as to the reading of the charge on ground that leave had just been granted and that they have not been served with the charge.
Based on this ground, the court adjourned with the order that the accused person be served with the charge.
The anti graft agency had slammed a 12 count criminal charge on the accused person.
Abasi-Ifreke was alleged to have impersonated a public officer in an attempt to fraudulently obtain an Indian Visas by dishonestly preparing, signing and addressing a letter of introduction/visa request dated August 5, 2013 to the Consular General, India High Commission, Abuja pretending to be a head of department with the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology using the name Adejor Banabas Gwams.
He was also accused of forging a document of Kogi State Government Board Of Internal Revenue Letter Of Appointment for one Eje Precious to fraudulently obtain a United Kingdom visa.
In another count Abasi – Ifereke was accused of forging a Federal Ministry Of Science And Technology staff identity card FMST/110/674/ng in favour of one Boi Bright which was fraudulently used for visa request to the India High Commission.
He was also alleged to have been in possession of counterfeit ink stamps of Skye Bank Plc Gwarinpa Branch. Abuja, Access Bank Plc Maitama Branch and Zenith Bank Plc, Abuja with intent to use same for forging bank documents knowing same to be counterfeit and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 367 of the Penal Code Act Laws of the FCT Cap 532.
Last week, the ICPC arraigned two other suspects Beatrice Molokwu and Jasper Erekosima for allegedly producing false documents to Embassy Of Belgium for a visa.
The ICPC prosecutor in that case, Michael Adesola, told the court that Erokosima in June procured a false statement of account number 0034172650 of GT Bank with the intent to deceive the embassy to get visa for one Udoka Cyril.