Corruption: Former Civil Servant To Pay N50k To Avoid 7-Year Jail Term

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has issued a verdict against Mr. Apeh Samuel Akogu, a former civil servant employed in the Accounts department of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works, and Housing.

He has been ordered to pay a fine of N50,000 or face seven years in jail due to corruption charges. These charges were brought by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which initially arraigned Apeh before Justice A.O. Ebong of the FCT High Court, Abuja.

Apeh was accused of three counts, including soliciting and receiving gratification, as well as conferring unfair advantage on himself, all contrary to Sections 10 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

One of the counts detailed how he allegedly received the sum of N820,000 from a contractor, Osahon Osemwota, into his G.T Bank account, purportedly to facilitate payments for contracts performed for the Ministry.

One of the counts reads: ‘’That you, Apeh Samuel A, (M) in January, 2015, or thereabout while being a public Officer to wit; a staff of the Accounts Department of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, did receive from one Osahon Osemwota a contractor, the sum of 820, 000.00 (Eight Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira only) which was paid into your G.T Bank Account to enable you facilitate payments for contracts performed by him for the said Ministry and you hereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 10 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission Act, 2000.’’

During the trial, the ICPC Prosecutor, K.C. Peprah, presented four witnesses and relevant documents to prove the charges against Apeh. In his defense, Apeh called only one witness and testified that the gratification payment was a gesture of commiseration for the death of his uncle.

Despite arguments from the ICPC prosecutor that Apeh’s defense was an afterthought, the trial Judge acquitted him solely on the grounds that the corrupt transaction was not conducted in the course of his official duties. Dissatisfied with this judgment, the ICPC appealed to the Court of Appeal seeking to overturn the decision.

After hearing arguments from both parties, the Appellate Court unanimously overturned the trial court’s decision. Apeh was sentenced to seven years in prison or a fine of N50,000. Additionally, the court ordered him to make restitution of the amount collected as gratification to the petitioner, Osahon Osemwota.

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG