A principal engineer with Project Development Institute (PRODA), Mr Samuel Arukwe, on Thursday appeared in an Enugu High Court for an alleged embezzlement.

Arukwe was arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offence Commission.

The ICPC Counsel, Mr E. O Akpos, told the court that the defendant collected N492, 000 and $6,592 in December, 2011 for air ticket, local contingency and visa fees to China for a training but did not embarked on trip.

“The defendant never returned the money but converted it into personal use, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 19 of ICPC Act.

“The defendant used his office to confer advantage on himself, an act which contravenes the provisions of ICPC Act.”

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him.

The defendant’s Counsel, Mr T. A. Ugbo, made an oral bail application for his client, arguing that the offence was bailable.

But the counsel to ICPC opposed the oral application and submitted that the defence should file a formal application for bail.

The Judge, Justice Anthony Onovo, granted bail to the defendant in the sum of one million naira each, with one surety who must be a civil servant not below grade level 12.

Onovo adjourned the case till April 28 for hearing. (NAN)

•Photo shows ICPC Chairman Ekpo Nta.