Three staff members of Ekiti State Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti have been arraigned on charges of forgery and deceit by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Ekiti News reports that Demola Bakare, the ICPC spokesperson revealed that the three staff members, Mr. Fatuki Adebayo Paul, Mr. Babalola Idris Adebayo, and Mr. Afolayan David Ayodele, were arraigned before Justice Lekan Ogunmoye of the Ekiti State High Court on Wednesday 17th July, 2024.
In charge number HAD/02ICPC/2024, the ICPC arraigned the trio on six counts of forgery of a document, contrary to and punishable under Section 467 of the Criminal Code Act Cap C28 LFN 2004, and knowingly and corruptly giving a document with false information with intent to deceive the principal, contrary to and punishable under Section 17(1)(c) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
However, all three defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.
Counsels for the defendants, Mr. Rotimi Adabembe and Mr. Busayo Sule, requested the court to grant their clients bail on liberal terms after they entered a not guilty plea. Counsel to the ICPC, Mr. Kehinde Adetoye, did not oppose the bail applications.
Justice Ogunmoye granted the defendants bail in the sum of N2 million each, with two sureties in like amount. One surety must hold a directorial position within the Ekiti State Government, and their residence within the jurisdiction of the court must be confirmed.
The case was adjourned to October 15, 2024, for further hearing.