Makurdi, October 22, 2024 — The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Mr Awuawe Terwase Clement, the former Registrar of the Benue School of Health Technology, Agasha, over alleged involvement in a N4.4 million admission racketeering scheme.
Mr Terwase appeared before Justice Egbe Joshua Raphael at the Federal High Court 2, Makurdi, on Tuesday, facing accusations of illegally collecting and diverting a total of N4,476,500 from unsuspecting admission seekers. The ICPC charged that the funds were collected after the official closure of the sale of admission forms for the academic year, between 2018 and 2019.
The defendant was charged with three counts, including using his position as Registrar to confer personal financial benefits by continuing to sell admission forms beyond the approved period. One of the charges reads: “That you, AWUAWE TERWASE CLEMENT (m) between 2018 and 2019… used your position to confer corrupt advantage upon yourself by collecting a total sum of N4,476,500… when you continued to sell admission forms… after the closure of sales for your personal use.”
The ICPC also accused Mr Terwase of providing false information during the investigation, which violates Section 25(1)(a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act of 2000.
Mr Terwase, however, pleaded not guilty to all charges when they were read to him in court.
Following the defendant’s plea, his counsel, Mr Kelvin Iorzenda, applied for bail. The prosecution, represented by Mr T. S. Lorngee, did not oppose the bail request. Justice Raphael granted bail to Mr Terwase in the sum of N2 million, with one surety of equal value, who must be a public or civil servant. The surety is required to submit documentation, including a letter of first appointment, latest promotion, an identity card, and passport photographs, and swear an affidavit of means.
The matter has been adjourned to December 12, 2024, for a hearing. Mr Terwase was able to meet the bail conditions before the close of business on Tuesday.
The case underscores the ICPC’s ongoing efforts to tackle corruption in Nigeria’s public institutions, especially in the education sector.