Top civil servant sent to prison for alleged forgery

The Federal Capital Territory High Court, Gudu, Abuja, has remanded a deputy director in the office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Bassey Ikang, for allegedly forging award of contract letter and for issuing dud cheques of N40m, N20m, N18m and N60m at different times to the Managing Director, Fortress Project Limited, Okenna Oguneche.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had arraigned Ikang on eight counts bordering on issuance of dud cheques and forgery.

A statement yesterday by the acting EFCC spokesman, Tony Orilade, said the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Counsel for the EFCC, Aisha Ibrahim, thereafter, prayed the court to give a date for the commencement of trial and also requested the court to remand the defendant in prison pending the continuation of hearing.

But the defence counsel, Imhanbe Osagie, argued that the defendant would be sitting for his promotional interview scheduled for April 12 and 15, 2019, stressing that Ikang was not a flight risk.

“It will be fair to give him the opportunity to take the oral promotional interview,” he added.

Justice Modupe Osho-Adebiyi, however, granted the request of the prosecution, and adjourned the matter till April 17, 2019 for hearing of the bail application.

He ordered the remand of the defendant in prison.