The Special Offences Court in Lagos State has remanded the former Director General of Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi FIIRO, Chima Carteney Igwe at the correctional services facility over alleged false information.
The trial Justice, Sherifat Solebo ordered his remand following his arraignment by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences ICPC on a three counts charge bothering on knowingly giving a document with false information, using office to confer an unfair advantage upon self and knowing making statement which is false to a public officer, pending the perfection of his bail.
Prosecuting Counsel from the ICPC, Henry Emore informed the court of information dated 4th of May and filed 16th of July 2021and asked to be read to the defendant.
According to the charge sheet, which one f the count read Chima Cartney Igwe m sometimes in December 2002 on thereabout in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, while being a public officer with FIIRO knowingly gave with intent to deceive an Attention Latter signifying the completion of PhD Degree program from University of Abomey – the Calavi UAC Republic of Benin to the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the three count charges read to him in open court upon which prosecuting counsel asked the honourable court for a trial date.
Defence counsel, Mr E.O Ekon informed the court of two bail applications before the honourable court, one dated 3rd of August 2021 while the second dated 27th September 2021 and made an oral application to the court that 3rd of August bail application be withdrawn which the prosecuting counsel did not oppose to.
While moving his bail application, defendant counsel, Mr E.O Ekong told court that his bail application dated September 27, 2021, praying the court to admit the defendant to bail pending his trial in the suit.
Justice Sherifat Soledo in her ruling having granted the bail application with the following bail terms: Bail sum in five hundred thousand, Two sureties which one must have registered land in Lagos and must be gainfully employed while the address of the sureties must be verified by an officer of this court.
With the prosecution earlier mentioning to the court to call three witnesses, Justice Solebo adjourned the matter to 21, 22, 23 and 24 of February 2021 while the defendant is remanded at the correctional facility pending the perfection of his bail.
