JOSEPH EYO EKANEM, J.C.A.(Delivering the Leading Judgment): The respondent was arraigned before the High Court of Benue State at the Makurdi Judicial Division (the trial Court) on a one-count charge numbered as MHC/6C/2003. The charge as amended reads
That you Mrs Elizabeth Nguumbur Shuluwa on or about January 2001 at Makurdi Benue State being employed in the public services holds directly otherwise than as a member of a registered joint stock company consisting of more than 20 persons a private interest in contract number BNTB 10/2001 awarded by the Benue State Government to A.T.T. Enterprises Nigeria Limited for external works at top civil servants quarters Gboko road Makurdi, to the tune of N22,948, 984.00 (twenty two million nine hundred and forty eight thousand nine hundred and eighty four naira) and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 12 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.
The respondent pleaded not guilty to the charge a…