An Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) case against Charles Eneh, a 68 years old contractor has been adjourned till 3rd July 2015 by Justice Hussein sitting in a Federal Capital Territory ( FCT) High Court in Abuja.
The court could not take the case because of an application filed by the accused challenging the jurisdiction of the court.
Paul Bassi, an ICPC prosecuting counsel, had informed the court of the receipt of notice of preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction and also seeking for the charges to be quashed.
Charles Eneh is facing a one-count charge for “knowingly and corruptly giving a false document – a forged tax clearance certificate- which he claimed was issued by the Federal Internal Revenue Service ( FIRS) by presenting it as Barbeach Phin Nigeria Ltd for the Year 2012 to the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry Of Works as genuine for the purpose of bidding for contract among other bidders.
The arraignment of the accused is coming following a request for investigation from the Bureau of Public Procurement to ICPC by forwarding the accused document for verification among other bidders documents. The accused document was later verified to be forged and the accused was excluded from further participation in the bidding process.
The ICPC counsel sought for further permission of the court to file its objection to the application.
Counsel to the accused/applicant, P. E. C. Ekwueme who did not object to the submission of the prosecution, sought the court for a short adjournment which was granted.
The offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 17 (1) (c) of the
corrupt practices and other related offences Act, 2000”.