Former Vice-Chancellor, University of Agriculture Makurdi Arraigned for Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Makurdi zonal office, on Tuesday arraigned the former Vice-Chancellor of Benue State University, Professor Emmanuel Kucha, on a four-count charge for conspiracy, misappropriation of public funds, abuse of office and gratification.

The EFCC said the former vice-chancellor, being a public officer of the federal university of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, was involved in obtaining money as a bribe in the course of performing its official duties.

He was arraigned before Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon sitting at Federal High Court Makurdi, Benue State.

One of the charges read: “That you Emmanuel Kucha whilst serving as the Vice-Chancellor of Federal University of Agriculture Makutdi, between 2012 and 2017 in Makurdi within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court did accept the total sum of N70,327,197 (Seventy Million, Three Hundred and Twenty Seven Thousand, One Hundred and Ninety Seven Naira) through several payments into your Guaranty Trust Bank Account No: 0124395144 as a bride for performing your official act and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 18(c) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under section 18(d) of the same Act."

The defendant, however, pleaded ‘not guilty’ when the charges were read to him

Prosecution counsel, Y. Y. Tarfa, prayed for a date to open his case, he confirmed to Court that he received the bail application of the defendant.

However, defence counsel, Timothy Dim, moved his bail application and urged the Court to grant his client bail on liberal terms, also to remand the defendant in EFCC custody pending the perfection of his bail condition which the Court granted.

Justice Olajuwon granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N10 million with one surety in like sum.

 The surety must be a public servant with the federal or Benue State government on grade level 17 and must submit two recent passport photographs. Address of the surety must be verified, and Court must confirm the authenticity of the letter and documents the surety presents to Court.

The suspect was remanded in EFCC custody pending the perfection of his bail condition, as the case was adjourned to January 5, 2020, for commencement of trial.