By Raphael Onyekachukwu
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The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) yesterday arraigned the immediate pasts Rector and Chairman of Governing Council, Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Prof. Edwin Onyeneje, Dr. Leonard Ugwu and two others before Federal High Court sitting in Enugu for defrauding the Institution over N83million when they were in office.
The anti-graft agency in a charge No. FHC/EN/CR/72/2015 proffered seven counts on the five accused persons.
The accused persons; Prof. Edwin Onyeneje, Dr. Leonard Ugwu, Elder Onah Ferdinand C. and Basil Offoh pleaded not guilty when the seven counts charge was read to their understanding.
The counsel to the accused persons, Barr. Ben Oguine asked the court to allow the administrative bail which, anti-graft agency had granted his clients. He told the court that he filed a motion for preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court to adjudicate on the matter.
The trial Judge, Hon. Justice R. O. Dugbo Dghoghorie ruled that the accused persons should continue to enjoy the administrative bail of ICPC, and fixed April 14, for argument on the motion for the preliminary objection.
The seven counts charge reads: “That you, Prof. Edwin Onyeneje, and Dr. Leonard Ugwu sometimes in 2009, while serving as Rector and Chairman of Governing Council respectively in the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, by false pretence and with intent to defraud, conspired with one another to obtain for yourselves, the sum of N50 million from the coffers of the Institution when you made and approved a proposal for the procurement of scientific equipment worth N50 million in preparation for reaccreditation of some programmes in the Institution which equipment you did not procure and thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 8(a) and 1(1)(a) and punishable under section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
“That you, Prof. Edwin Onyeneje, and Dr. Leonard Ugwu sometimes in 2009, while serving as Rector and Chairman of Governing Council respectively in the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, by false pretence and with intent to defraud, obtained for yourselves, the sum of N50 million from the coffers of the Institution purportedly for the procurement of scientific equipment in preparation for the reaccreditation of some programmes in the Institution which equipment you did not procure and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(1)(a) and punishable under section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
“That you, Mr. Basil Offoh sometimes in 2009, while serving as the Administrative Secretary to the Rector of Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, by false pretence and with intent to defraud, abetted the release of the sum of N50 million to Prof. Edwin Onyeneje and Dr. Leonard Ugwu meant for the procurement of scientific equipment in preparation for the reaccreditation of some programmes in the Institution which equipment were not procured and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 8(a) and 1(1)(a) and punishable under section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
“That you, Elder Ferdinand Onah C. sometimes in 2009, while serving as the Chief Store Officer, Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, by false pretence and with intent to defraud, abetted the release of the sum of N53,200,500.00 to Prof. Edwin Onyeneje and Dr. Leonard Ugwu meant for the procurement of scientific equipment in preparation for the reaccreditation of some programmes in the Institution which equipment were not procured and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 8(a) and 1(1)(a) and punishable under section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
“That you, Mr. Basil Offoh sometimes in 2010, while serving as the Administrative Secretary to the Rector of Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, by false pretence and with intent to defraud, abetted the release of the sum of N3,200,500.00 to Prof. Edwin Onyeneje and Dr. Leonard Ugwu meant for the procurement of scientific equipment in preparation for the reaccreditation of some programmes in the Institution which equipment were not procured and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 8(a) and 1(1)(a) and punishable under section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
“That you, Prof. Edwin Onyeneje, Dr. Leonard Ugwu and Mr. Basil Offoh sometimes in 2009, while serving as Rector and Chairman of Governing Council and Administrative Secretary to the Rector, respectively in the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, by false pretence and with intent to defraud, conspired with one another to obtain for yourselves, the sum of N30 million from the coffers of the Institution when you made and approved a proposal for the procurement of Laboratory Equipment, Consumables worth N30 million in preparation for the reaccreditation of some programmes in the Institution which equipment were not procure and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(1)(a) and punishable under section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
“That you, Prof. Edwin Onyeneje, and Dr. Leonard Ugwu sometimes in 2011, while serving as Rector and Chairman of Governing Council, Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, respectively, within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, by false pretence and with intent to defraud, obtained for yourselves, the sum of N30 million from the funds of the Institution under the false pretence that it was used for procurement of laboratory equipment consumables in preparation for the reaccreditation of some programmes in the Institution which equipment were not procured, and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(1)(a) and punishable under section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.”
