Modupe Gbadeyanka
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A former rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Mrs Theresa Taiwo Akande, has been arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Mrs Akande was docked by the agency on charges bordering on gratification and other offences while serving as a public official at the tertiary institution.
She was brought before Justice A. L. Ogunmoye of the Ekiti State High Court in Ado-Ekiti alongside a former bursar of the polytechnic, Mr Onaolapo Elijah Aderemi.
According to the anti-graft agency, the duo allegedly received bribes from contractors handling projects in the school.
The former rector, who is facing a 3-count charge out of the nine charges levelled against the two suspects, was accused of receiving N200,000 kickbacks from a contractor handling the construction and furnishing of lecture theatre and offices in the school.
The ICPC said this offence, allegedly committed in 2015, is contrary to the provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, and punishable under Section 8 (1)(a) of the same act.
She was further accused of allegedly using her office to confer a corrupt advantage upon herself; an offence punishable under Section 19 and 10 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.
A six-count charge was also read against the ex-bursar, who was accused of collecting N850,000 bribe from the same contractor.
The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge and the defence counsel, thereafter, requested for bail which was not opposed by ICPC counsel, Mr Kehinde Adetoye.
Justice Ogunmoye granted Mrs Akande bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties in like sum. One of the sureties must have a landed property with Certificate of Occupancy in Ado-Ekiti to be deposited with the Court Registrar.
The court also granted Mr Onaolapo bail in the sum of N7 million with two sureties in like sum.
The trial judge ruled that one of the sureties must also have landed property with Certificate of Occupancy to be kept in the custody of the court registrar, while the case was adjourned till March 24, 2021, for hearing.
