The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Umar Isa Gachi, a public officer with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on charges of money laundering and making false returns.

Gachi, an accounting officer deployed to Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, was arraigned on a 4-count charge before Justice Iyang E. Ekwo of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court 5 in Maitama, Abuja.

According to Demola Bakare, the spokesperson for the ICPC, the Commission alleged that the defendant received a total sum of 135 million naira as an impress for the rehabilitation of certain public works in the Federal Capital Territory. The Commission informed the court that the defendant used fake receipts to retire the works he claimed to have done, which included the repair of streetlights and distilling of drainages.

Count 4 of the charge reads, “that you Umar Isah Gachi (M) sometime in March, 2014 or thereabout at Abuja within the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court knowingly furnished false returns of retirement of the sum of 40,000,000 (Forty Million Naira) only for the replacement of street lights at Asokoro District of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja which fund you received from the Fidelity Bank account (No. 5030030015) into your Fidelity Bank account (No. 6051999273), when you knew the said fund was not used for the purpose for which it was released and thereby committed an offence contrary and punishable under Section 16 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000”.

Gachi pleaded not guilty to all the charges. The trial began on 15th November 2022, and the ICPC called two witnesses to prove the allegations before closing its case. The defendant entered his defence and closed his case on 8th May 2024.

The trial court has adjourned the matter to 24th June 2024 for the adoption of written addresses by the parties involved.

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