News Obiaks News

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned two senior officials of the Benue state government, over an alleged contract fraud to the tune of N4.7 billion.
        The commission’s spokesperson, Rasheedat A. Okoduwa, in a statement sent to the press said the arraigned officials are Stephen Amase and Manger T. Emmanuel. Amase is Governor Samuel Ortom's principal private secretary while Emmanuel is a special adviser in the Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology. The two were arraigned before the Benue state high court sitting in Makurdi, Benue state and presided over by Justice S.O Itodo. ICPC’s prosecution counsel, G O Iwuagwu, said Amase used his position as a public servant to secure the award of a contract to an unqualified company for the sum of N4.7 billion from the government he is serving. The second accused person, Emmanuel, was accused of conspiring with Amase to award the contract to the company. The suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them and subsequently applied for bail. They were granted bail in the sum of N10 million with one surety each of not less than grade level 16 and serving with the Benue state government. The case was subsequently adjourned to 5th, 6th and 7th of February, 2020 for further hearing.