The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned three staff members of the Ekiti State Teaching Hospital on charges of forgery and deceit.
The accused, Fatuki Paul, Babalola Adebayo, and Afolayan Ayodele, appeared before Justice Lekan Ogunmoye at the Ekiti State High Court on Wednesday.
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According to a statement released on Thursday by ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare, the defendants were charged with forging documents and knowingly providing false information with the intent to deceive their principal.
These offences are in violation of Section 467 of the Criminal Code Act Cap C28 LFN 2004 and Section 17(1)(c) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
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All three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Defense counsels Mr. Rotimi Adabembe and Mr. Busayo Sule requested bail for their clients on liberal terms, given their not guilty pleas.
ICPC counsel Kehinde Adetoye did not oppose the bail applications.
Justice Ogunmoye granted the defendants bail, setting it at two million naira each with two sureties in like sum.
One of the sureties must hold a directorial position within the Ekiti State Government, and their residence within the jurisdiction must be verified.
The case has been adjourned until October 15, 2024, for further hearing.
