Prof. Francisca Ime Bassey, a dean of the University of Calabar has been arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) before the Cross River State High Court Six over her alleged involvement in a contract fraud of N20.6 million.
Prof. Francisca who is the Dean and Director of the Pre-Degree Programme of the university has been accused of holding private interests in multiple contracts awarded by the school to four companies directly owned by her.
On Wednesday, August 18, the ICPC in the 10 counts filed before Justice Elias O. Abua stated that the alleged crime happened between 2013 and 2017 and violated Section 12 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
She reportedly benefited from a series of contracts totaling N20,679,324.63 awarded to Bakuf Ventures, Rivet Investment Nigeria Ltd, Joebas Enterprises, and Arumo Nigeria Ltd.
The institution also awarded contracts worth N4.7 million to Rivet Investment Nigeria Ltd between 2013 and 2015.
Prof. Francisca was further accused of using two of her companies, Joebas Enterprises and Arumo Nigeria Ltd to commit multiple contract frauds.
Her lawyer, Barrister Joseph Oloku filed a bail application praying the court to admit her to bail on self-recognizance.
This was however opposed by counsel to the ICPC, Kioba Kio Anabraba, who stated that the bail should be granted if only it will make her attend her trials.
Justice Elias O. Abua subsequently granted her bail in the sum of N5 million with one surety in like sum. The surety must have landed property within the jurisdiction of the court. The matter was then adjourned to October 11 and 12, 2021 for trial.
