By Akeem Oduyoye
An Assistant Director in the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), Yildiyel Musa Takat, has been arraigned on Wednesday by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) before an Abuja Federal High Court.
Takat was arraigned for the second time for fresh allegations bordering on fraud and employment racketeering.
Takat was dragged before Justice A. A. Fashola in Jabi, Abuja, in a suit marked CR/148/20.
He was arraigned on a 12-count charge.
The Commission told the Court that Takat committed the crime while working as a staff at the office of the Accountant General of the Federation.
The ICPC said that during this period, the accused forged a letter dated 4th August 2014 purportedly emanating from the Office of the AGF – under the hand of Director Administration and addressed to Director-General, Nigeria Institute of Mining and Geo-science.
The ICPC also told the court that the accused has forged several letters of employment supposedly originating from the Director (Recruitment and Appointment) of the Federal Civil Service Commission and offering the same to his unsuspecting victims.
The ICPC, through its counsel, Eno Ighodaro-Yahaya also told the court that the defendant has acted contrary to Section 13 which is punishable under Section 14 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and contrary to, and punishable under sections 364 and 366 of the Penal Code Laws of the Federation, as well as Section 1 of the Advanced Fee Fraud Act, 2016.
The accused person pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to him.
In a “Motion on Notice” supported by a 14-paragraph affidavit deposed to by the defendant, his defense counsel, John Bello, moved a bail application on his behalf, which was not opposed by the counsel to the ICPC.
The trial judge thereafter admitted him on bail in the sum of Two Million Naira (N2,000,000:00) and two responsible sureties in like sum who must work in a reputable organization and must live within the FCT, with a verifiable address.
The matter was adjourned to the 24 October, 2023 for commencement of hearing.