A Deputy Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Mrs. Nkem Apollonia Mba, has been arraigned for alleged involvement in fraudulent activities.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) said the accused was docked on a three-count charge before Justice Leteem Nyordee of the Federal High Court 12, Port Harcourt, for offences bordering on abuse of office and corrupt demand of gratification by a public officer.

Mrs. Azuka Ogugua, spokesperson of ICPC, said in a statement on Monday: “One of the counts revealed that the Deputy Chief Registrar received a kickback of N500,000 through her bank account from the purchase of Automotive Gas Oil popularly known as diesel and other products.

“She however argued that the money was her two percent entitlement according to Order 16 of the Admiralty Jurisdiction (Procedure Rule) 2011”.

However, her prosecuting counsel said that her offence contravened Section 10 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, which is punishable under relevant sections of the same Act.

The accused pleaded “Not Guilty” when the charge was read to her. A bail application by her counsel, S. Somiari, praying the court to grant her bail on liberal terms was not opposed by the prosecuting counsel, Dr. Agada Akogwu.

The trial judge in granting the prayers, admitted her to bail in the sum of N500,000 with a surety who must have landed property in Port Harcourt.

Justice Nyordee further ruled that the accused must deposit her international passport with the court Registrar. The case was then adjourned to July 26, 2022, for commencement of trial.

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