ICPC charges staff of another rural electrification agency over alleged N1.85 billion fraud

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) on Friday charged a staff member of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Henrietta Okojie, at the Federal High Court, Abuja, for her alleged involvement in a N1.85 billion fraud.

Okojie was indicted by the commission on four counts of fraud.

When the matter was filed, ICPC lawyer, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, informed the court that the matter was scheduled so that Okojie could receive his defense.

He applied to have the June 6 court order vacated against the defendant since he was in court and Judge Emeka Nwite granted the request.

However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following his application, Akponimisingha asked the court to set a trial date.

But Okojie’s lawyer, Ishiaku Garba, told the court that a bail application had been filed and presented to the prosecution on June 11.

Akponimisingha said although the application was received by his office on Tuesday, he only saw it on Thursday and needed time to respond.

“My Lord, June 12 is a holiday and I cannot come to the office,” he said.

The lawyer said he should be allowed to respond to the request to ensure a fair hearing on the matter.

The judge agreed that the prosecution should be given an opportunity to respond to the bail application.

Justice Nwite, who ordered Okojie to be detained at Suleja Correctional Institution, adjourned the hearing of his bail application until June 20.

He also set a date of July 10 for the trial.

Last month the commission charged several REA staffers in connection with fraud at the agency.

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