Enugu High Court Adjourns Corruption Case Against Litigation Director

An Enugu High Court last Thursday adjourned an alleged corruption case involving a Director of Litigation in the court, Vincent Aneke for the third time without arraignment, due to absence of the defendant and his counsel.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), charged the defendant with corruption for allegedly accepting reward for performing an official duty.
When the case came up, the defendant and his counsel were absent.
Counsel to ICPC, Mr Dennis Okoro, told the court that the defence counsel informed him that he was in Awka, Anambra State for an urgent matter, while the defendant was also absent.
Justice Harold Eya, however, adjourned the case until October 12 for arraignment.
The prosecution had alleged that Aneke allegedly received two plots of land from Umunenshi community in Enugu South Local Government Area for a matter he handled for them in 1985.
“The defendant received two plots of land located at Agbariagba land of Umunenshi village in Amechi Uwani, Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State from Umunenshi family.
“The reward was for the role he performed in the execution of the judgment of the court in suit No; E/170/76 between Nnaji and others Vs. Nwugwu and others delivered on 25th June, 1985.”
According to the charge, E/1C/2017, ICPC; Aneke, who is the Director of Litigation and High Court Services in Enugu State High Court, was charged with corruption for accepting reward for performing official act.
He was accused of presenting false information to mislead the commission, which is contrary to Section 25 (1) of the ICPC Act, 2000 and punishable under Section 25 (1) (b) of the same Act.