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Tag: ICPC

  • ICPC moves to stem corruption in oil sector, says chairman

    •Buhari to unveil report on corruption risk assessment of TSA, others next week

    INDEPENDENT Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Acting Chairman Dr. Musa Usman Abubakar said yesterday the agency will soon review the endemic corruption in the oil sector and proffer lasting solutions.

    He said the anti-graft commission will expose the gaps, which some stakeholders in the oil and gas sector have always employed to steal.

    Abubakar said the agency has already conducted corruption assessment in aviation, health, maritime and water sectors.

    He also said President Muhammadu Buhari  will unveil ICPC report on Corruption Risk Assessment of Nigeria’s E-Government Systems, including the Treasury Single Account (TSA), Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS).

    Abubakar, who unveiled the plans at a briefing in Abuja, said it is possible to prevent corruption, if the loopholes in the system are blocked.

    He said: “Corruption has been with us for ages, but there are measures to prevent people from stealing or engaging in shady deals. It is not only about trying to find A, B, or C as corrupt, but how to prevent people abusing the system to steal public funds.

    “From 2015, we have started engaging in corruption risk assessment, which is not only to expose corruption but the gaps which allow people to steal.

    “We started with some sectors. We conducted corruption assessment in the aviation sector, we also did  in maritime sector (especially ports), health, water and MDAs related to promoting Millennium Development Goals  (MDGs). The last we  did was about e-government platforms.

    “So, it is a gradual process. Very soon, we will get to the oil and gas sector. We  have all heard about billions being lost. Our duty is to examine the system in this  sector and see what are these weaknesses  that allow for leakages and help people to manipulate the system to the  extent that the government is losing this much. But it is not about  determining who committed what; it is about plugging loopholes in the system.”

    Responding to a question, Abubakar said: “Preventing corruption is part of the mandate of ICPC.”

    He said the President will next week unveil ICPC report on TSA, IPPIS and GIFMIS.

    Abubakar added: “Recall that the commission had set up a research and training facility known as the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN) in Keffi, Nasarawa State, to provide intellectual support to the fight against corruption and to build manpower capacity in Nigerians from across the various sectors to prevent and also confront the scourge.

    “Since its establishment, ACAN has executed its mandate creditably, conducting trainings in various fields of anti-corruption, including Corruption Risk Assessment (CRA), which is a veritable tool for preventing corruption in institutions and organisations.

    “CRA reinforces the strength of systems of institutions against corruption vulnerabilities and consequently protects their integrity.

    “It is on account of lCPC’s successful deployment of this tool in some of Nigeria’s sectors such as Aviation, Ports, Education, etc. that it was deemed worthy of replication on the larger African continent.”

    The ICPC acting boss said the commission, through the instrumentality of ACAN, will conduct three-day training from December 10 to 12 for heads of African Union (AU) member countries anti-corruption agencies.

    He said: “This will also be in furtherance of the declaration of President Buhari as the African Union’s Anti-Corruption Champion for 2018. The training, it is hoped, will help build the capacity of the beneficiary countries’ anti-corruption agencies on corruption prevention strategy.

    “The event will be declared open by President Buhari at the Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja and the ceremony will also afford him the opportunity to make a public presentation of the Report of the Corruption Risk Assessment of Nigeria’s E-Government Systems, an exercise conducted by lCPC to safeguard the payment systems from corruption.”

  • ICPC re-arraigns ex-IG Ehindero, ex-CP Obaniyi for alleged N16.4m fraud

    THE Independent Corruption Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) yesterday re-arraigned a former Inspector-General of Police, Sunday Ehindero and ex- Commissioner of Police, John Obaniyi, before a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Apo on a 10-count charge for alleged N16.4 million fraud.

    The charge borders on conspiracy, fraud and making false statement.

    The former police chiefs, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    Prosecution counsel Mr. O.G. Iwuagwu told the court that the accused committed the offences from May 2006 to November 2006.

    Iwuagwu said the duo conspired and used their positions to place N500 million in two fixed deposit accounts.

    He added that the money was part of N557,995,065.00 donated by the Bayelsa Government to the Police for purchase of arms and ammunition.

    The prosecutor, however, added that the N500 million placed in fixed deposits yielded an interest of N16,412,315.06.

    According to him, the alleged offences contravene Sections 26(1) and 22(5) of the ICPC Act, 2000.

    Counsel to the defendant Mr. Messrs Kenneth Onorun and Mr. Samuel Obairko prayed the court to uphold the bail granted to them when they were first arraigned.

    They objected to the prosecutor’s application for the court to proceed with evidence by a prosecution witness who, the prosecutor said, was ready to testify.

    The defence counsel submitted that the statements of the accused were not served along with the amended charge. Justice Sylvanus Orji directed the prosecutor to serve the defence counsel with the statements.

    Justice Orji adjourned the case until January 8 for hearing.

  • Sex-for-marks: ICPC to arraign ex-OAU don on Monday

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) said it is set for the trial of a former lecturer at the  Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Prof. Richard Iyiola Akindele, for allegedly demanding sex from  a student, Monica Osagie.

    Akindele, who will be arraigned on November 19 at the Federal High Court, Osogbo, has opted for plea bargain based on ill-health, which will not allow him to serve prison terms.

    A statement yesterday by the ICPC spokesperson, Mrs. Rasheedat A. Okoduwa,  said: “Prof. Akindele will be docked on a three-count charge, having been accused of using his position as a lecturer in the Department of Management and Accounting to demand for sexual benefit from a student and fraudulently upgrade her result in Research Method course, which she supposedly failed in 2017.

    “His actions were contrary to Sections 8 (1) (a) (ii), and 18 (d) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and are punishable under the same sections.

    One of the counts reads,: “That you, Professor Akindele, on or about September 16, 2017, at Ile-Ife did corruptly ask for sexual benefits for yourself from Ms. Monica Osagie on account of favour to be afterwards shown to her by you in the discharge of your official duties as a lecturer in the Department of Management and Accounting, Obafemi Awolowo University, to wit; altering her academic grades in the course with code MBA 632- Research Method from fail to pass; and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 8(1)(a)(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.”

    “The 57-year-old professor has asked for plea-bargain, having admitted guilt. He also cited ill-health as a factor that may make him unable to stand the rigours of prison life, notifying the commission through his lawyer, Omotayo Alade-Fawole.

    “He pleaded that his prayers for plea-bargain be considered, more so as he was already serving punishment for his offence having been sacked by the university.

    “It can be recalled that in an interview granted a newspaper, Ms. Osagie had expressed a lack of confidence in the capacity of ICPC to give her a fair hearing.

    “This public announcement of Professor Akindele’s impending arraignment is in fulfillment of the commission’s promise to the public on September 7, 2018, to avail them of the outcome of the investigation in due time.”

  • CITN collaborates with ICPC to curb tax evasion

    The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) says it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to curb tax evasion.

    Its President, Mr Ikemefuna Ede, made the disclosure on Thursday, saying that the objective was to enhance capacity development of officers of the commission.

    Ede said that continuous training and capacity building were important elements in building strong institutions and should be encouraged by all organisations.

    “The objective is aimed at equipping the ICPC officers with the required knowledge needed to fight corruption and tax evasion in the tax sector,” he said.

    Ede reiterated the commitment of CITN toward ensuring the immediate implementation of the terms of the MoU.

    He, however, noted that tax evasion was a form of corruption which if allowed to thrive unabated, would spell doom for the continuous existence of Nigeria.

    Ede blamed the rampant tax evasion in the country to weak taxation system, which he said was fixable by the government.

    He noted that the dynamics of government revenue generation showed that taxation remained a major stabilising factor of the global polity. Ede called for more stringent application of the nation’s tax statute by tax authorities against tax defaulters and also against entities that have statutory duties to remit taxes.

    “Taxation is a tool for economic management and development and should support sustainable growth and infrastructure development at all times.

    “Payment of taxes is a civic responsibility of all legible tax payers and evasion of taxes is tantamount to depriving the economy of its sustainable means of economic development.

    “Tax evasion is a major bane in the tax system; it is also a criminal offence and should be strongly decried.

    “Of course, it will lead to tangible economic loss more so as revenue from oil is no longer stable.

    “It behooves on the government to restructure the tax system such that every legible tax payer will be compelled to pay tax as and when due,” Ede said.

    Commenting, Dr Musa Abubakar, the Acting Chairman of the ICPC, expressed his delight on the signing of the MoU.

    Abubakar said that the CITN was a reliable institution which was uniquely positioned to offer training to ICPC officers in the area of investigating and prosecuting tax evaders.

  • CITN, ICPC sign capacity building pact

    The Leadership of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences

    Commission (ICPC) and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on training of officers of the Commission.

    In a statement, the CITN said the signing of the MoU which was effected at the Commission’s headquarters on 9th October, 2018 was witnessed by the Acting Chairman of the ICPC, Dr. Musa Usman Abubakar, the President of the CITN, Chief Cyril Ikemefuna Ede and other key officers of both institutions.

    In his remarks at the brief ceremony, Chief Ede underscored the need for training and capacity building as an important element in building strong institutions. He noted that tax evasion was a form of corruption which if allowed to thrive unabated would spell doom for the continuous existence of Nigeria. He restated the commitment of the CITN towards ensuring the immediate implementation of the terms of the MoU.

    In his response, the Acting Chairman of the ICPC, Dr. Musa Usman Abubakar expressed his delight on the signing of the MoU. He noted that the CITN was a reliable institution which was uniquely placed to offer training to its officers in the area of investigating and prosecuting tax evasion evaders.

    He affirmed his belief that a well packaged training programme would go a long way in enhancing the performance of its officers thereby enhancing the activities of the Commission.

     

     

     

     

  • EFFC, ICPC join team to verify ex-Airways workers

    •‘Fed Govt to fast-track verification’

    OPERATIVES of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) have joined the ongoing biometric data verification of ex-workers and pensioners of the liquidated national carrier, Nigeria Airways Limited.

    Besides the EFCC and ICPC agents, other security agencies were also enlisted for the exercise.

    The participation of EFCC and ICPC personnel in the exercise, according to Minister of Finance Zainab Ahmed, was to ensure transparency and accountability.

    It was also to ensure that people who were not qualified did not have access to the money.

    Speaking at the Skypower Catering Limited premises in Ikeja, Lagos yesterday, the minister said besides displaying the relevant documents, the EFCC and ICPC officials were obtaining thumbprints of the beneficiaries.

    She was represented by the Secretary of Presidential Initiative for Continuous Audit (PICA), an arm of the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Mohammed Dikwa.

    Dikwa, while addressing the ex-Airways workers and pensioners, said hitches experienced in the exercise were being looked into.

    He said the Federal Government would create more desks and deploy more personnel to fast-track the ongoing verification exercise.

    He said government was aware of the hitches and had approved extension of the verification by one week to ensure that beneficiaries were accommodated.

    But, scores of pensioners and former workers have berated officials of PICA for the sloppiness of the exercise. They alleged that there were not enough personnel to attend to beneficiaries that are very sick and the elderly.

    They noted the paucity of personnel at the desk dedicated to the EFCC and ICPC, which they said has accelerated the delay in the exercise.

    But, Dikwa said: “We were here to confirm that the verification is on course, and we have noted some hitches, which would be addressed with the extension of the verification for an additional week.

    “The whole idea is to ensure that all beneficiaries are captured. We call for orderliness and pledge that we will increase the personnel to take care of beneficiaries, whose names were omitted. We understand the consequences that have come with the delay in the payment of these severance benefits, especially those that have either died, lost their documents and others. We will create a special desk for them.”

    He said government was making plans to ensure that the ongoing verification would be the last.

    Dikwa said: “This will be the last verification before all payments are closed. Government is paying 50 per cent now to settle the balance in the next few months. We are making plans to ensure those living outside the country are not omitted. So, there is no cause for alarm.”

    On the involvement of security agencies, Dikwa said: “We have enlisted the services of EFCC, ICPC and other security agencies to ensure transparency and accountability of the exercise.

    “The whole idea is to ensure that the money does not get into the wrong hands. We are going to deepen their involvement by ensuring that beneficiaries undergo biometric data capturing with thumbprint.”

  • Assets sale: ICPC uncovers unremitted N9.8b in Aso Savings

    THE Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has uncovered about N9.8billion, realised from the sale of government houses in 2005 in Aso Savings and Loans Plc.

    The said cash was yet to be remitted about 13 years after it was raked in from the sold assets.

    Also, it has been discovered that some of those who bought the Federal Government houses only made part payments and they have refused to fulfil their pledges.

    These revelations are contained in a statement on investigation of the sale of government assets, which was released by ICPC.

    The statement said: “In 2005, the Federal Government set up a committee, the Ad-hoc Committee on the Sale of Federal Government Houses, to sell some of its properties in the Federal Capital Territory.

    “The ICPC received a petition on the work of the committee and commenced investigation, in the course of which it unearthed the fact that the sum of N9.8 billion realised by the Ad-hoc Committee between 2010 and 2014 from the sale of government properties, which was deposited in Aso Savings and Loans Plc, was not remitted to the Federal treasury by the financial institution rather, it was used.

    “Among the several officials invited for investigation, the current Managing Director of Aso Savings and Loans revealed that the bank is currently experiencing paucity of funds. Therefore, it is willing to swap some of its properties located in Abuja and Lagos in exchange for the unremitted funds.

    “The commission is committed to the recovery of the full value of the unremitted N9.8 billion by taking the properties offered in lieu for government, subject to satisfactory valuation by the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing.  Upon conclusion of investigation, anyone found in breach of the law will be brought to book accordingly.

    “In a related development, further investigation of the Ad-hoc committee’s work also uncovered that some persons who were allocated government properties made only part payments.

    “This fact led ICPC to recover the sum of N20, 662,250 from the affected persons in bank drafts, which it handed over to the Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee between December 2017 and May 2018.”

  • Alleged N1b fraud: ICPC charges ex-Governor Dakingari

    THE Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) yesterday arraigned a former Kebbi State Governor Saidu Usman Nasamu Dakingari before Justice Ismail Haruna Bashir of Kebbi State High Court 2 for alleged misapplication of N1,094,320,000 belonging to the state.

    Out of the cash, about N349,475,000 was allegedly diverted in connivance with the then Commissioner of Finance, Mohammed Bello Tunga and the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Garba Rabiu Kamba

    The vote was  meant for the provision of power generators and “other logistics” for all polling units in Kebbi State for the 2015 general elections.

    According to a statement by the ICPC spokesperson, Mrs. Rasheedat A. Okoduwa (mni), Tunga and Kamba had earlier been arraigned for prosecution by the commission at the Kebbi State High Court.

    The statement said: “However, immediately after the commencement of proceedings, the court was informed that Tunga, the former Commissioner of Finance, had passed on.

    “Consequently, the prosecution counsel by way of oral motion prayed the court to strike out the late commissioner’s name, which was granted.”

    “Dakingari, who was the state governor between 2007 and 2015, was further accused of conspiring with his political associates to misappropriate N430,000,000, which was released to provide logistics support for security agencies during the 2015 general elections.

    “The  ex-governor was also charged for siphoning N315,000,000, which was approved and disbursed to enable Imams and Mallams organise sensitisation and enlightenment programmes  against religious incitement of supporters for the 2015 general elections in the 21 local government areas of Kebbi State.

    “However, ICPC’s investigation activities revealed that the said amounts were shared among his political allies as no power generators were purchased nor was any Imam or Mallam among the beneficiaries of the sensitisation money.

    “The former governor was, therefore, arraigned on a  six-count charge of offences bordering on criminal conspiracy, theft, conferring corrupt advantage on political cronies and using position for gratification.

    “ICPC’s counsel Elijah Akaakohol averred that the defendant’s actions were contrary to and punishable under sections 19 and 26 (1) (c) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

    “If found guilty, he shall, on conviction, be liable to a term of five years imprisonment without an option of fine.”

    He pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against him when they were read out to him.

    The counsel to the accused person, Asiwaju Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), through a written application, sought the relief of the court to grant his client bail.

    Bail was granted to him for N10m and one surety in like sum, who must be resident and possess property worth N10 million within the court’s jurisdiction.

    The case has been adjourned to December 4 and 5, 2018 for trial to begin.

     

     

  • Religious leaders critical to fight against corruption, says ICPC

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has said religious leaders are key stakeholders in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.

    The agency’s Commissioner for Education, Malam Muhammad Baba, stated this yesterday in Abuja, the nation’s capital, at the Train-the-Trainers Workshop for Imams and Islamic dcholars, organised by the Just Foundation, a subsidiary of Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society.

    He recalled that since 2014, ICPC had been engaging religious leaders across the country to participate actively in the fight against corruption.

    Baba also said due to the critical role of religious leaders in tackling social vices, such as corruption, the commission introduced Religious Leaders’ Forum to educate them about the negative impact of the menace.

    He said: “ICPC, in line with the statutory mandate of the commission as contained in Section 6 (b to f) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, has the mandate to prevent corruption.

    “ICPC also has the mandate to stop or fight corruption through any legal means, including educating and sensitising the public.

    “Part of education and sensitising the public is engaging religious leaders in the fight against corruption.

    “That is why we introduced the religious leaders’ forum. Since 2014, we have been engaging with the religious leaders across Nigeria to participate actively in the fight against corruption.”

    He said the forum had impacted positively in the fight against corruption and increase awareness everywhere, adding that people are increasingly becoming aware of the dangers of corruption.

    The commissioner also said that more religious leaders are now aware and they can change the attitude of their followers through sermons and other forms of preaching.

    The Executive Director of Just Foundation, Imam Fuad Adeyemi, said the aim of the training was to build the capacity of Islamic clerics to understand and participate actively in the ongoing fight against corruption.

    He said that 95 per cent of all the problems confronting Nigeria was corruption-induced, adding that the moment corruption was effectively tackled people would be able to get their right justly.

  • IPAC seeks support for INEC to tackle vote-buying

    The Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC ) in Bauchi State has urged security agencies. Anti-graft bodies and media to support INEC in tackling the problem of vote-buying ahead of the 2019 elections.

    Alhaji Musa Mato the IPAC Secretary in the state, made the appeal in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria in Bauchi on Tuesday.

    He described the challenge of vote buying as worrisome, and said the Economic Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, security agencies and media should team up to expose politicians engaged in the act.

    He added that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) also requires the support of all well-meaning Nigerians to end the practice that has compromised the sanctity of the electoral process.

    “Apart from the cash inducement, some politicians influence voters with gift items such as television set, phones, foodstuffs, recharge cards among others,” he said.

    According to him, vote buying undermines the electoral process, poses serious threat to democracy and credibility of elections.

    “Vote buying is earning a bad reputation for our democracy, for our elections and the future of the county.

    “So it has become necessary for stakeholders such as EFCC, ICPC, security agencies and media to support INEC in fighting the challenge.

    Read Also: Osun poll: INEC warns against publication of false results

    ” Other stakeholders including political parties, civil society organizations and the citizens should also get involved to overcome the problem,” Mato said.

    He said “It becomes necessary for us to come together to address this illegality.

    “Some of the ugly trend takes place at polling units and outside polling units on Election Day, and some even before elections through electronic cash transfer.”

    The IPAC secretary said those involved must be arrested, investigated and prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others, and “to avoid money-bags determining our democracy.

    “We want the votes of the people to determine who wins in our elections.”

    Mato stressed that the campaign to stop vote-buying must be collective and sustained to sanitise the electoral process.

    The IPAC secretary backed INEC for placing ban on the use of handsets in polling booths as part of measures to limit vote-buying.