The Makurdi Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Thursday, arraigned the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Benue state, Ayaka Apir Ityu, before Justice A. I. Ityonyiman of the Benue State High Court, Makurdi, on one count charge of forgery.
A press statement by the EFCC, Head, Media & Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, Thursday in Abuja, said the charge reads: “That you, Ayaka Apir Ityu, while holding the office of Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Makurdi, Benue State, sometime on December 23, 2019, in Makurdi, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did dishonestly make a false document titled: PROPOSAL TO CARRY OUT MAINTENANCE, REPAIRS AND LOGISTIC SERVICES, dated December 23, 2019 on the letter head paper of DEEMTEE RESOURCES LIMITED and addressed to the Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Health, Makurdi, purporting same to have been signed by one Peter Orshi, which you knew was false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 364 and punishable under section 365 of the Penal Code cap 124(Revised Edition), Laws of Benue 2004.”
Uwujaren said the accused pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him and in view of his plea, the Prosecuting Counsel, George Chia-Yakua, asked for a trial date, and the remand of the defendant in a Correctional Centre pending trial.
However, the Defence Counsel, I. Abilo, informed the court that he had filed an application for the bail of the defendant, and urged the court to grant his application on liberal terms.
He said Justice Ityonyiman granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N300,000 with one surety in like sum.
The spokesperson said Ityonyiman adjourned the matter till May 5, 2021 for hearing.
