News Release A former Commissioner for Health in Ebonyi State, Dr Henry Aloy has been arraigned by the Independence Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for his alleged involvement in a N79 million contract scam while serving as a commissioner. Also arraigned alongside the ex-commissioner, is a manager of one of the branches of Intercontinental Bank plc in Ebonyi State, Mr. Sam Agbo for his alleged involvement in the contract scam. They were arraigned before the High Court of Ebonyi State presided by the Chief Judge Justice A. N. Nwankwo. In the course of the investigation carried out by the ICPC operatives, it was discovered that the offences were committed in 2005 when the Ebonyi State Government awarded a contract for the renovation and construction of Amasari General Hospital in the State to the tune of N 79 million. The former Commissioner, Dr. Aloh was alleged to have conspired with the Bank manager to divert the sum to an account allegedly opened in the name of one John Okoli, who was falsely presented as a representative of the company awarded the contract to renovate the Health institution, thereby committing an offence contrary to section 26 (1) and punishable under section 19 of the ICPC Act 2000. Part of the allegations against the commissioner was that he procured John Okoli who was his patient and Patrick Chukwu, his personal assistant to be signatories to the account opened in the name of the company, which is contrary to and punishable under sections 26 and 19 of the ICPC Act 2000 and section 473 (2) of the Criminal Code Act Cap 28 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. Mr Raheem Adeshina, the prosecution counsel did not oppose the bail application moved by Chief M. Erhenede and Emeka Uwake counsel to Dr. Aloh and Sam Agbo respectively. The two accused persons were granted bail in the sum of N50 million and one surety in like sum whom must be resident within the courts` jurisdiction. The case has been adjourned to 22nd and 23rd October for hearing. In a related development, the provost of the College of Agriculture, Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, Dr Paul Ajah and the Bursar, Mr. Samuel Aloi are to be arraigned by the ICPC for allegedly misappropriating over N24 million belonging to the Institution . They are to be formally charged before the same court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State on the 29th of September 2013. The two senior officers of the College would be arraigned on 18 count charge bothering on conferring unfair advantage on a public officer, an offence contrary to and punishable under section 19 of the ICPC Act 2000. It was alleged that Dr. Paul Ajah and Samuel Atoi opened an operation account with a popular bank in Okigwe with the name of the clerical officer of the institution, Eric Uguwuakazi and proceeded to deposit several millions meant for the payment of contractors to the institution. Other offences allegedly committed by Dr Paul Ajah include the appointment of his wife as a principal officer of the institution without going through due process, the awards of a N10 million naira contract for Advert placement contrary to procurement Act 2007. He also allegedly overpaid himself estacode for a foreign trip he embarked on in 2009 to the tune of N290, 520. Signed: Mike Sowe Head, Public Enlightenment Dept. ICPC
Posted on: Mon, 22 Jul 2013 13:18:20 +0000
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