Pension Scam: ICPC arraigns clerical officer

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Wednesday arraigned Henry Oruh, a senior Clerical Officer with the Police Pension Office, before an Abuja High Court for alleged fraud.

The Commission alleged that Oruh made false statements when in his suspect data form, he said that he only had a salary account with the United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA), which had less than N50, 000.

The prosecutor, Mr. Paul Bassi, told the court that while executing a search warrant in Oruh’s house, officials of the ICPC, also discovered several other bank booklets with his name, including Fidelity Bank Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and also Zenith Bank Plc.

Bassi said that during investigation, the officials, found over N50 million in the various accounts.

The prosecution said that when asked about how he came about the money, Oruh, could not give a satisfactory answer.

The ICPC is also charging the accused for lying under oath, where in the suspect data form, he lied that he had no other account under his name.

The offence, according to the ICPC, is contrary to Section 25 (1) and punishable under Section 25 (1b) of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission Act.

If convicted, Oruh shall be imprisoned for two years or with an option to pay a fine of N100, 000 or with both.

Oruh, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

After arraignment, Oruh’s counsel, Mr. Perry Ikoro, urged the court to admit his client to bail.

Ikoro, assured the court that if granted bail, the accused would not jump bail.

However, in his ruling, Justice Hussieni Baba-Yusuf admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N500, 000 and a surety in like sum.

Baba-yusuf ordered that the surety must be resident within the FCT and must produce proof of ownership of a landed property