The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has brought charges against the former Registrar of Benue State School of Health Technology, Agasa, Mr. Awuawe Terwase Clement, over an alleged admission racketeering scheme involving N4.4 million.
Mr. Terwase was arraigned on Tuesday before Justice Egbe Joshua Raphael of the Federal High Court in Makurdi for allegedly collecting and diverting the sum of Four Million, Four Hundred and Seventy-Six Thousand, Five Hundred Naira (N4,476,500) from unsuspecting admission seekers to the institution.
He is accused of continuing to sell admission forms after the official sales period had closed.
The ICPC filed a three-count charge against the former Registrar, which includes making a false statement to Commission officers during the investigation, in violation of Section 25(1)(a) and punishable under Section 25(ii)(b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act of 2000.
Count One states: “That you, AWUAWE TERWASE CLEMENT (male), between 2018 and 2019, at Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, while serving as a public officer in the capacity of Registrar of the School of Health Technology, Agasha, used your position to gain a corrupt advantage for yourself by collecting a total of N4,476,500 (Four Million, Four Hundred and Seventy-Six Thousand, Five Hundred Naira) by selling admission forms to unsuspecting prospective students after the closure of sales, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act of 2000.”
Mr Terwase pleaded not guilty when the charges were read.
In light of his plea, the defendant’s counsel, Mr Kelvin Iorzenda, applied for bail on his behalf.
The prosecution counsel, Mr. T. S. Lorngee, did not oppose the bail application.
Justice Egbe Joshua Raphael subsequently granted bail for Two Million Naira (N2,000,000) with one surety in the same amount.
The surety must be a public or civil servant from either the federal or state government.
They are required to submit photocopies of their appointment letter and last promotion, along with an identity card, passports, and photographs, and must also swear to an affidavit of means and address.
The case is adjourned to December 12, 2024, for a hearing.
