ICPC withdraws corruption charge against NDDC boss Ekere
- The two count charge against the NDDC and its managing director has been withdrawn
- The charge was filed on May 14 by the ICPC
A report by The Nation indicates that the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) has withdrawn the two-count charge it filed against the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and its managing director/chief executive officer, Nsima Ekere.
According to the report, ICPC had accused NDDC and Ekere of refusing to honour invitation and request for documents in relation to the construction of Umuihe-Odo-Umuanya road, Umuahia South local government area of Abia state.
Prosecution lawyer, Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha announced ICPC’s decision to withdraw the charge when the case came up on Thursday, June 21 before Justice Olukayode Adeniyi of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Apo, Abuja.
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Akponimisingha said although the prosecution has complied with the court’s earlier order for substituted service of the charge on Ekere, there are new developments in the case, requiring that the charge be withdrawn.
“While the matter was pending, the defendant complied with our request, which informed why we filed the charge in the first place,” he said.
Relying on Section 108 (2)(a) of Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), the prosecution applied to withdraw the judge, an application Justice Adeniyi granted.
The judge, in a ruling, said “the prosecution, having applied to withdraw the charge, under ACJA, 2015, the charge with suit No: CR/187/2018, filed on the 4th of May 2018 is accordingly struck out.”
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Meanwhile, the EFCC has reopened its investigation into a N21.74 billion Independent Power Plant (IPP) project in Oghara, Delta state.
The contract for the project was awarded by the Delta state government to an indigenous firm, on June 23, 2009 for the supply and installation of two Rolls Royce Trent gas turbine generators to boost power generation and distribution in the state.
Legit.ng gathered that it had an initial contract term of 60 per cent down payment and completion period of 24 months. The firm accepted the offer and promised to complete the contract within the stipulated time frame, but didn't meet up.
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Source: Legit.ng
