ICPC docks Oshiomhole's Man

Source: pointblanknews.com

Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Philip Shaibu, was on Tuesday arraigned at an Edo State High court State sitting in the state capital, Benin.

The lawmaker is standing trial on six-count charge instituted against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related offences Commission (ICPC) for alleged forgery of his tax clearance papers he used to contest election in 2007.

He is All Progressives Congress (APC) legislator representing Etsako West Constituency II and protege of Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

Part of the charges read that Shaibu made ” false statement knowingly to the officer of the Commission contrary to Section 25 (1) (a) and punishable under Section 25 (1) (b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act”.

The embattled lawmaker was also accused of making fase declarations “knowingly to the officers of the Board of Internal Revenue, Edo State contrary to Section 25 (1) (a) and punishable under Section 25 (1) (b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act” among other offences”.

The matter was deferred to April 14, 2014, to enable counsel to the accused, Ken Mozia, SAN, reply to his bail application.

Counsel to ICPC, Igbadume Godson, had argued that the bail application should be heard along with the charges, adding that effort to serve Shaibu proved abortive, hence the delay.

Shaibu's counsel however opposed the application, saying that his client was served at the court premises Monday.

Consequently, the trial judge, Justice Esther Edigin, adjourned the case to April 14, 2014.