The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) on Wednesday arraigned Alex Akpa, a former acting director-general, National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), and others over alleged N400 million fraud.

Mr Akpa, Famous Daunemigha, ex-member, Governing Board of NABDA and Wesley Ebi Siasia, ex-director, finance and accounts of the agency, were arraigned on four-count amended charge before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court.

The trio, who are first to third defendants, respectively, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Counsel to the anti-corruption commission, O.G. Iwuagwu, informed that seven witnesses had been lined up to testify against the defendants.

Mr Ekwo consequently admitted them to bail on terms of the administrative bail earlier granted them by the commission.

The judge directed that all the particulars of the defendants be forwarded to the court registrar within seven days of the order.

The judge, who warned the defendants against breaching the bail conditions, said the trial would be on a day-to-day basis.

He adjourned the matter until March 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 for trial.

The ICPC, in the amended charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/302/22 dated and filed November 1, had alleged that the defendants, sometime in August 2020, within the court jurisdiction while being public officers, indirectly took possession of the sum of N400 million meant for the establishment of four Bioresources Development Centers in four states of the federation.

In count two, the commission accused Mr Akpa of indirectly taking possession of N260 million being part of the sum of N400 million.

While the ICPC accused Mr Daunemigha of embezzling N50 million from the N400 million, Mr Siasia was alleged to have taken possession of N40 million from the amount.

The commission said the act contravened section 18 (2) (d) and was punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

(NAN)