By Eben Enasco Kingsley, Benin City
Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Mr Philip Shaibu, a member of House of Representatives before an High. Court sitting in Benin on Thursday for alleged forgery
ICPC prosecutor, Mr Godson Igbadumhe said the offences was committed between Nov 2006 and July 2010, in Abuja and in Benin .
The former major leader of Edo Assembly who is now representing Etsako constituency is being arraigned on six count charge over alleged, forgery of tax document, fraudulently uttering false documents in2006.
Igbadumhe alleged that Shaibu signed for and received from the officers of Edo Board of Internal Revenue a copy of his Income Tax clearances certificate which was obtained through false, untrue and misleading information and statements
The Prosecutor said the Lawmaker made false statement knowingly to the officers of the ICPC, Edo Board of Internal Revenue by stating that he was an employee of ZAkNOTE VENTURES NIGERIA LTD from 2003 to 2006, which statement is,false and untrue.
He said the Offences contravened sections 25(1)(a) punishable under section section 25(1)(b), section 13,, punishable under section 68 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.
The Offences also contravened section 468 and punishable under section 467 of Criminal Code
The accused person however pleaded not guilty to the six count charge.
The presiding Judge, Justice Esohe Ikponmwen however granted the accused bail in the sum of N3 million and a surety who must be resident in Benin and gainfully employed.
The bail was sequence to an application by SAN Ken Mozie, counsel to the accused and which was not opposed by Igbadumhe ,counsel to ICPC.
It will be recalled that the lawmaker had on June 30, 2014, granted bail by Justice Esther Edigin of court four of the Benin High Court with the sum of N3 million .
She however adjoined the case to February 15 to 16 for further hearing.
The court chamber was however packed full by government officials who temporarily abandoned their offices in solidarity with the former State House of Assembly majority leader.
The state deputy governor, Pius Odubu led the pack of government’s official to the court.
Other officials are, Osatodion Ogie, commissioner for works,Isimemen Iriogbe, commissioner for transport, Washington Osifo, commissioner for Energy and Water Resources, Jemitola Aanena,commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Macdonald Obasuki, commissioner for Arts and Culture.
Also present was Thomas Okosun, former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly as well as the state chairman of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Bamidele Oloruntuba and Shaibu Imodagbe formers members of the state house of assembly.
