N54.4 Million Admission Fraud: ICPC Arraigns Former Benue School Registrar

By Utebor Paul, Nigeria

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned the former Registrar of the Benue State School of Health Technology, Agasha, Mr. Awuawe Terwase Clement, over an alleged N54.4 million admission fraud.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by Demola Bakare, the Acting Director, Public Enlightenment and Education, and spokesperson for the Commission.

Bakare disclosed that, Mr. Terwase was brought before Justice Egbe Joshua Raphael of the Federal High Court 2, Makurdi, on Tuesday, where he was accused of diverting N4,476,500 collected from unsuspecting admission seekers. 

The Commission alleged that the funds were collected after the institution had closed the sale of admission forms for the year.

In a three-count charge, the Commission also accused the former Registrar of making false statements during the investigation. The commission stated that this violated Section 25(1)(a) and is punishable under Section 25(ii)(b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

One of the charges reads, “That you, AWUAWE TERWASE CLEMENT, between 2018 and 2019 at Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, used your position as Registrar of the School of Health Technology, Agasha, to collect N4,476,500 from unsuspecting prospective students after the closure of sales of admission forms for your personal use, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.”

Mr. Terwase pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following his plea, his counsel, Mr. Kelvin Iorzenda, applied for bail on his behalf. The prosecution, led by Mr. T.S. Lorngee, did not oppose the application. Justice Raphael granted the defendant bail in the sum of N2 million, with one surety of equal value.

The judge ruled that the surety must be a public or civil servant, either at the federal or state level, and must provide documents including a letter of first appointment, last promotion, identity card, passport photographs, and an affidavit of means and address.

The case was adjourned to December 12, 2024, for further hearing. Mr. Terwase was able to meet his bail conditions before the end of the day