The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Tuesday said it has arraigned a former Chairman of Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mr. Iho Anum Achusa and a staff of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in Abuja, Mr. Donald Orya Anagenda, over alleged N97.5 million contract fraud.
The two accused persons are on trial for conspiracy, bribery and using their offices to confer corrupt advantage on themselves.
According to a statement issued by the spokesperson of the commission, Mrs. Rasheedat A. Okoduwa, the two officers were arraigned before Honourable Justice A.O Anum of Benue State High Court No.2, Makurdi.
They face a four-count charge of contravening sections 12, 18(d), 19 and 26(1c) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The statement said: “The prosecuting counsel of ICPC, Sunny Ezeana Esq and Abayomi Adepoju Esq averred that sometime between October and November 2013, the accused “conspired to knowingly hold private interest in a contract awarded by Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to Brown Sugar Global Resources Limited for training of teachers on ICT to the tune of N97,500,000 only and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 26(1)(c) punishable under Section 12 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000”.
“The first accused, Mr. Donald Orya, while being in the employment of UBEC, Abuja, was further charged for ‘’knowingly holding private interest in a contract awarded by SUBEB to Brown Sugar Global Resources Limited for training of teachers on ICT contrary to and punishable under Section 12 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.”
“The second accused, Mr. Iho Achusa was also charged for ‘’conferring corrupt advantage upon yourself when you received the total sum of N14,000,900 only from the contract sum awarded to Brown Sugar Global Resources Limited thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 12 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.”