The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has charged Nkem Apollonia Mba, Deputy Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, with participating in fraudulent activities.
The Deputy Chief Registrar was charged with three counts of abuse of office and corrupt demand of gratification by a public officer before the state Federal High Court 12, Justice Leteem Nyordee.
One of the counts revealed that Mba received a N500,000 kickback from the purchase of Automotive Gas Oil, also known as diesel, and other products through her bank account.
She argued, however, that the money was her two percent entitlement under Admiralty Jurisdiction (Procedure Rule) 2011.
Her offense violated Sections 10 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and is punishable under relevant sections of the same Act, according to the court.
When the charge was read to Mba, she pleaded “Not Guilty.” As a result, her attorney, S. Somiari, applied for bail, requesting that the court grant her bail on liberal terms.
The prosecuting attorney, Agada Akogwu, did not object to the bail application. In granting the prayers, the trial judge admitted her to bail in the sum of N500,000 with a surety who must have landed property in Port Harcourt.
Justice Nyordee also ordered that the accused leave her international passport with the court Registrar. The case was then postponed until July 26th, when the trial would begin.
