By Nkechi Eze
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Mr. Ekoh Justin Okezie on multiple charges, including forgery and providing false information to an officer of the Commission.
Mr. Okezie appeared on Monday before Honorable Justice N.K. Nwosue-Iheme at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Wuse Zone 2.
He faces a nine-count charge, including possession of a counterfeit “Offer of Temporary Appointment” letter and an unofficial document purporting to be an appointment letter to the Federal Civil Service of Nigeria.
He was also accused of unlawfully receiving multiple salary payments from the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture by falsely representing himself as a legitimate staff member of the ministry.
One of the charges against him states: “That you, Ekoh Justin Okezie, sometime between January and December 2020, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained by false pretence the sum of ₦638,993.72 (Six Hundred and Thirty-Eight Thousand, Nine Hundred and Ninety-Three Naira, Seventy-Two Kobo) as twelve (12) months’ salary, purportedly as a staff of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture”.
The charge sheet read that, “a pretence you knew to be false, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.”
Mr. Okezie pleaded not guilty to all nine charges. His counsel, Mr. E.D. Imo, filed a bail application, which was not opposed by the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Henry Emore of the ICPC.
After listening to the argument of both counsels, the presiding judge Justice Nwosue-Iheme granted bail to the accused person under specific conditions including but not limited to requiring Mr. Okezie to present a credible surety with a permanent residence in Abuja and to post a bond of ₦5 million.
The Presiding Judge later adjourned the case to January 29, 2025, for further proceedings.
