The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned three staff members of Ekiti State Teaching Hospital over allegations of forgery and deceit.
ICPC spokesperson, Demola Bakare, said the three staff members, Mr. Fatuki Adebayo Paul, Mr. Babalola Idris Adebayo and Mr. Afolayan David Ayodele, were arraigned before Justice Lekan Ogunmoye of the Ekiti State High Court on Wednesday.
ICPC, in a charge number: HAD/02ICPC/2024 arraigned the trio on a six-counts charge bordering on forgery of a document contrary to and punishable under Section 467 of the Criminal Code Act Cap C28 LFN 2004, and knowingly and corruptly giving a document with false information with intent to deceive the principal, contrary and punishable under Section 17(1)(c) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
All of the three defendants, however, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.
Counsels for the defendants, Mr. Rotimi Adabembe, and Mr. Busayo Sule, separately prayed to the court to grant their clients bail on liberal terms, having entered the not guilty plea.
Counsel to the ICPC, Mr. Kehinde Adetoye, did not oppose the bail applications filed.
Justice Ogunmoye thereafter granted the defendants to bail in sum of N2 million and two sureties in like sum, one of whom must hold a directorial position within the Ekiti State Government and evidence of their residence within the jurisdiction of the Court must be confirmed.
The case was further adjourned to October 15, 2024, for hearing.