The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Awuawe Clement, the former Registrar of the Benue State School of Health Technology in Agasha, for alleged admission racketeering.
Clement faces accusations of collecting and misappropriating N4,466,500 from unsuspecting applicants seeking admission to the institution.
According to a statement from ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare, the commission has filed three charges against Clement for making false statements to its officers during the investigation.
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These charges fall under Section 25(1)(a) and are punishable under Section 25(ii)(b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act of 2000.
Clement pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.
One of the charges states: “That you, CLEMENT, between 2018 and 2019, at Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, while serving as the Registrar of the School of Health Technology, Agasha, used your position to gain corrupt advantages by collecting a total sum of N4,476,500. You continued to sell admission forms to unsuspecting prospective students even after the closure of sales for your personal benefit, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act of 2000.”
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The alleged offenses occurred after the school had officially closed sales of admission forms for that year.
Clement’s counsel, Mr. Kelvin Iorzenda, filed a bail application on his behalf, which the prosecution, represented by Mr. T. S. Lorngee, did not oppose.
Justice Egbe Raphael, the presiding judge, granted Clement bail set at two million naira (N2,000,000) with one surety of equal value.
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The surety must be a public or civil servant at either the federal or state level and is required to submit photocopies of their letter of first appointment, last promotion, identity card, passport photographs, and an affidavit of means and address.
The case is scheduled for hearing on December 12, 2024.
