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Tag: ICPC

  • Alleged N5.6b fraud: ICPC may declare Jang wanted

    THE Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) may declare a former Plateau State Governor Mr. Jonah David Jang wanted, following alleged failure to appear for interrogation in connection with alleged N5.6 billion fraud.

    The cash, belonging to the state, was allegedly embezzled during the Jang’s tenure.

    Jang ruled Plateau State from May 29, 2007 to May 28, 2015.

    ICPC officially said Jang allegedly received N2 billion in cash illegally out of the money, which was allocated to micro, small and medium enterprises.

    According to a source, who spoke in confidence, the ex-governor was invited through both the Office of the Senate President and the Clerk to the National Assembly. But he allegedly refused to honour ICPC summons.

    In a response to The Nation’s enquiry, ICPC officially confirmed that it was investigating Jang.

    ICPC said: “The commission has been on the trail of the former governor, now a senator, since October 2017, when it opened investigation into alleged corruption-related activities during his tenure.

    “Several invitations have been sent to Jang by ICPC through both the Senate President and the Clerk of the National Assembly to come and clear his name but he has refused to honour the invitations.

    “Also, efforts to procure an arrest warrant from two different magistrate’s courts in the Federal Capital Territory have been futile as the magistrates declined to sign them even after the sworn requisite affidavit had been presented by the commission.

    “In the light of the foregoing, the Commission may have no other option than to declare the former governor wanted.”

    The commission gave the details of its preliminary findings against Jang.

    The fact-sheet added:  “Evidence before the commission so far indicates that Senator Jang allegedly committed the offences in March 2015.

    “He allegedly received N2 billion in cash illegally out of the money which was allocated to micro, small and medium enterprises, under the pretext of a loan to be spent on ‘classified expenditure’.

    “Jang again allegedly received N400 million illegally of funds meant for Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

    “He also allegedly caused a former commissioner of finance in the state to illegally transfer the sum of N3.2 billion of SUBEB funds to the project account of the Ministry of Finance.”

    Meanwhile, the ICPC is also set to arraign former Kebbi State Governor Saidu Usman Dakingari in court for allegedly misappropriating N664.3 million belonging to the state.

    A statement by the anti-graft agency said: “The ex-governor who is to be arraigned at the High Court of Kebbi State, Birnin Kebbi, allegedly conspired with the then Commissioner of Finance, Mohammed Bello Tunga, and the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Garba Rabiu Kamba, to misappropriate funds that were meant for certain provisions for the successful conduct of the 2015 general election.

    “Tunga and Kamba are already facing prosecution by the commission at the Kebbi State High Court.”

  • ICPC arraigns civil servant for allegedly forging certificate

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Wednesday arraigned one Blessing Njoku in an FCT High Court in Maitama for allegedly forging a National Certificate of Education (NCE).

    Njoku, a civil servant with the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) in Abuja, was arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on deceit and forgery.

    The Prosecuting Counsel, Mr Suleiman Abdulkareem, told the court that the defendant sometimes in 2015 in Abuja deceived the Executive Secretary of the directorate that she was a holder of a NCE.

    Abdulkareem told the court that the defendant claimed to have been a student of Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri, between 2006 and 2009.

    The defendant, he added, claimed to have graduated with a credit grade in Business Education, adding that she forged the school’s statement of result to support her claims.

    Read Also:  Lawyer petitions ICPC over FMC Owo contract

    The prosecutor said that the offences were contrary to Sections 25 (1) (a) of the Corrupt Practice and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and 363 of the Penal Code.

    She, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    Mr Samuel Oche, the Defence Counsel, filed an oral application for bail, arguing that the offences were bailable.

    The prosecutor did not oppose the application, as according to him, granting of bail was the exclusive prerogative of the judge.

    Justice Sunday Aladetoyinbo admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N500, 000 and one surety in like sum.

    The judge also ordered that the surety must be a senior civil servant resident in the Federal Capital Territory.

    Aladetoyinbo fixed May 2 for the commencement of   trial.

    NAN

  • Lawyer petitions ICPC over FMC Owo contract

    A controversy is trailing a contract awarded at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) at Owo in Ondo State for the construction of OPD building in the Federal Government-owned institution by its former Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr O. Omotoso.

    At the centre of the conflict is Chamberline Adiaso of Solid Foundation and Builders Company, who allegedly got the N313,105,301 contract in 2012.

    Adiaso was recently appointed as a board member of Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

    An Akure lawyer Idowu Bewaji petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over the nomination of Adiaso.

    He accused Adiaso of committing a fraudulent act in 2016.

    In the petition, addressed to ICPC chairman, with copies to the Minister of Petroleum Resources and Chairman of PEF, Bewaji said Adiaso was involved in a fraudulent act while handling some contracts awarded to him by the management of FMC in Owo.

    He averred that Adiaso duped one of his clients, Mrs Yemisi Adewole, by obtaining money from her under false pretence to build a house at the FMC in Owo.

    According to him, the contractor (Adiaso) also borrowed N3 million from his client to execute a job he claimed was given to him at the University of Ibadan Teaching Hospital (UCH) for the supply of a life support machine.

    Bewaji said Adiaso eventually issued two DUD cheques to his client and put the woman in “psychological and mental trauma”.

    The lawyer said Mrs Adewole’s creditors had been looking for her because of the indebtedness.

    He regretted that Adiaso had disappeared and police efforts to arrest him proved abortive.

    Bewaji said his client got wind that the FMC in Owo had paid part of the money to Solid Foundation and Builders Company for the job she did, adding that she had not been reimbursed.

    He said Adiaso has several cases, many of which bother on corruption, fraud and false pretence, among others.

    The lawyer said the contractor was arrested by the Edo State Police Command but released, following an agreement he entered into with the police.

    Bewaji said Adiaso failed to honour his pledged to pay since 2016, adding that he had allegedly gone underground.

    The petition reads: “It is surprising to know that Adiaso, who has cases to answer with the ICPC since 2016 and has remained at large, has been nominated by proxy for this juicy position by the Federal Government.

    “In the light of the foregoing, we do appeal to the ICPC to bring to book Adiaso by informing the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and Petroleum Equalisation Fund of his criminal antecedent as he is not eligible for the current recommendation.

    “He should even show up to answer the allegation of fraud levelled against him.”

    Efforts to get Adiaso’s side of the story were unsuccessful last night.

  • Alleged fraud: ICPC arraigns ex-Plateau Speaker, seven others

    Alleged fraud: ICPC arraigns ex-Plateau Speaker, seven others

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) said on Thursday it has arraigned a former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Istifanus Mwanswat and seven others for allegedly diverting N40million Assembly votes into personal use.

    The others are – Mrs. Joyce Ramnap, Emmanuel Goar, Joe Dawan, Dio Lamul, Michael Jubrin, John Clarck Dabwan and Dalyop Mancha.

    They were arraigned before Justice Christian Ladi Dabup of Plateau State High Court 5, Jos, for alleged conspiracy and abuse of office.

    A statement by the spokesperson for the ICPC, Mrs. Rasheedat A. Okoduwa, said: “All the accused persons were alleged to have diverted the sum of N40, 000, 000 meant for running of the Assembly to their personal use.

    “The prosecuting counsel for ICPC, Mr. Isaac Jiya informed the judge that sometime in 2011, the first accused person, Mwansat, while being the Speaker of the Assembly, allegedly used N6, 000,000  out of the Assembly’s fund for his personal purposes, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

    “Jiya also told the judge that by conspiring with the former Speaker, the second accused person, Hon. Joyce Ramnap, also diverted the sum of N 4,400,000 for her personal use, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 26 and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

    “The erstwhile Speaker was also alleged to have aided four ex-legislators of the Assembly charged alongside him to divert the sum of N4, 400,000 each for their personal purposes while two others allegedly diverted N2, 400, 000 each, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 26 and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

    “All the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against them and applied for bail through their counsel, Mr. S.T Panwal and Mr. J.D Morolayo respectively.

    “Thereafter, the judge granted each accused person bail in the sum of N500, 000 and a surety residing within the jurisdiction of the court or an original evidence of ownership of a landed property to be handed over to the court.

    “The case was adjourned to 6th and 7th March 2018 for the commencement of hearing.”

  • ICPC closes 63 illegal degree-awarding institutions, fake NYSC camp

    ICPC closes 63 illegal degree-awarding institutions, fake NYSC camp

    Acting Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Mr. Abdullahi Bako yesterday said the agency has closed down 63 illegal degree-awarding institutions.

    He also said a fake camp for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme was closed down.

    Bako spoke at a colloquium for Business Management Organisations (BMOs) and Professional Associations (PAs) in Abuja.

    Bako said business management organisations and professional associations have pivotal role to play in the fight against corruption, if encouraged and given the necessary opportunities.

    He said:  “In the education sector for instance, we have closed down 63 illegal degree-awarding institutions and a bogus NYSC orientation camp and their proprietors are currently facing prosecution.

    “We have also established anti-corruption clubs in Secondary Schools, vanguards in tertiary institutions and contributed to the review of Nigeria’s educational curriculum by infusing positive societal values into examinable subjects for teaching at basic levels 1 to 9.

    “The commission has also established Anti-corruption and Transparency Units in Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies and established a coalition of non-governmental organisations for the purpose of strengthening Public Private Partnership (PPP) in the fight against corruption.”

    The colloquium was organised by ICPC in line with its resolve to carry key stakeholders along in the fight against corruption.

    He said business management organisations and professional associations have pivotal role to play in the fight against corruption if encouraged and given the necessary opportunities.

    He added: “As you are aware, upholding professional ethics is crucial to corruption prevention and Section 6(b-f) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, which contains and explains the functions of the commission is all about preventing corruption, educating and enlightening the public on and against the ills of corruption.

    “The essence of this colloquium is, therefore, to identify areas in which ICPC and professional associations and business management organisations can collaborate and partner together towards ensuring that activities of professional bodies are conducted with utmost sense of integrity and high ethical standards and are tailored towards preventing corruption in the system.

    “Once that is done, corrupt practices such as bribery and gratification, cutting corners, quackery and other infractions in the operations of professional associations would reduce drastically.”

    On his part, the Secretary of ICPC, Mr. Musa Usman Abubakar, said anti-corruption fight requires collective efforts.

    He said: “For the business of fighting corruption to be meaningful, it must be collective and strategic.

    “It is in this wise that the ICPC continuously creates opportunities to interact with the public as well as the business and economic groups through strategic partnerships to enlist their commitment and at the same time provide workable solutions to the fight against corruption.”

     

  • ICPC closes 63 illegal institutions, fake NYSC camp

    ICPC closes 63 illegal institutions, fake NYSC camp

    The Acting Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Mr. Abdullahi Bako, said on Tuesday the agency has closed down 63 illegal degree-awarding institutions.

    He also said a fake camp for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme was closed down.

    He said business management organizations and professional associations have pivotal role to play in the fight against corruption if encouraged and given the necessary opportunities.

    Bako made the disclosures at a colloquium for Business Management Organizations (BMOs) and Professional Associations (Pas) in Abuja.

    He said:  “In the education sector for instance, we have closed down 63 illegal degree-awarding institutions and a bogus NYSC orientation camp and their proprietors are currently facing prosecution.

    “We have also established anti-corruption clubs in secondary schools, vanguards in tertiary institutions and contributed to the review of Nigeria’s educational curriculum by infusing positive societal values into examinable subjects for teaching at basic levels 1 to 9.

    “The Commission has also established Anti-corruption and Transparency Units in Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies and established a Coalition of Non-governmental Organizations for the purpose of strengthening Public Private Partnership (PPP) in the fight against corruption.”

    The statement said the colloquium was organized by ICPC in line with its resolve to carry key stakeholders along in the fight against corruption.

    He said business management organizations and professional associations have pivotal role to play in the fight against corruption if encouraged and given the necessary opportunities.

  • ICPC tasks professional bodies on enforcement of codes

    ICPC tasks professional bodies on enforcement of codes

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has urged Business Management Organisations (BMOs) and Professional Associations (PAs) to ensure effective enforcement of their codes of ethics.

    The Acting Chairman of the commission, Mr Abdullahi Bako, made the call at a one-day colloquium organised by the anti-graft agency for BMOs and PAs in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Bako said business management organisations and professional bodies had a critical role to play in the fight against corruption, especially in the area of prevention.

    “The essence of this colloquium is to identify areas in which ICPC can collaborate with BMOs and PAs towards ensuring that their activities are conducted with utmost sense of integrity and high ethical standards tailored at preventing corruption in the system.

    “Once that is done, corruption practices such as bribery and gratification, cutting corners, quackery and other infractions in the operations of professional associations will reduce drastically,” he said.

    Bako said the commission had embarked on similar interventions in critical sectors such as education, health, transport and water resources.

    He said the exercise paid off with the closure of 63 illegal degree-awarding institutions and a fake NYSC orientation camp whose proprietors were currently being prosecuted.

    The Secretary of ICPC, represented by a commissioner, Mr Gad Bako, said the forum was in continuation of the commission’s efforts at securing public commitment to the fight against corruption.

    Read also: ICPC arrests former SMEDAN DG for alleged corruption in contract awards

    “Our partnership with BMOs and PAs like yours is borne out of our belief not only in your contributions to the development of this nation but also as being vital in the pursuit of professional excellence.

    “You are in a position to regulate the activities of your members and ensure that their conducts are in consonance with the ethics and values of their professional and in a manner that is devoid of corruption in all ramifications.

    “With the increase in the population and the rapid expansion in the membership strength you have witnessed over the years, quacks have infiltrated your ranks and adherence to these codes has become seriously compromised for obvious reasons.

    “Working in close collaboration with BMOs and PAS, we will not only block corruption-prone areas in the conduct of professional transactions but also highlight those punishable under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000,” he said.

    The ICPC secretary said the commission began its engagement with professional bodies in 2014 resulting in the infusion of integrity standards into their codes of professional practice.

    He listed the bodies to include the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, the Nigerian Union of Journalists, the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, and the Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria.

    According to him, the commission has also engaged 18 other BMOs and PAs since then in addition to organising a validation and adoption exercise of the integrity infusions made by ICPC into their codes of the practice.

    Bako said the colloquium was a follow-up on the validation done and its positive impact on their activities so far.

    He said that the commission would continue to support the BMOs and PAs toward strengthening their codes of professional practice.

    NAN

  • ICPC arrests former SMEDAN DG  for alleged corruption in contract awards

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) yesterday confirmed the arrest of the immediate past Director-General of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) Alhaji Bature Umar Masari over allegations bordering on corruption in the award of contracts by the agency.

    A statement by the spokesperson for the commission, Mrs. Rasheedat A. Okoduwa,  said the contracts were allegedly given to the cronies of the ex-DG.

    “The former Director-General was quizzed by the Commission for his alleged role in fraudulent awards of specialized entrepreneurship contracts to his cronies who were neither professionals nor qualified to execute the projects and for allegedly demanding and receiving kickbacks from contractors.

    “He is also accused of using his position for personal advantage.

    “ICPC, acting on a petition it received against the former SMEDAN DG, arrested him for questioning but has released him on administrative bail.”

  • Fraud: ICPC detains four ex-Kogi commissioners

    Fraud: ICPC detains four ex-Kogi commissioners

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission ( ICPC ) said on Thursday it has arrested and detained four former commissioners in Kogi State.

    The affected commissioners served during the administration of ex-Kogi State Governor, Capt. Idris Ichalla Wada.

    They were detained for alleged N11.3billion fraud.

    The suspects are being probed for alleged misapplication of government funds and abuse of office.

    The affected funds include N2billion Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria on behalf of the state; mismanagement of another N8 billion bond raised to fund 57 projects across the state and illegal deductions to the tune of N1.3 billion made from the funds of 21 local government councils in the state.

    The ex-commissioners are – Kayode Olowomoran (Culture and Tourism), Abdulrahman Wuya (Transport), Onama Godwin (Works) and Alh. Aju (Budget and Planning).

    A statement issued by the spokesperson of ICPC, Mrs. Rasheedat A. Okoduwa, said: “The former commissioners were arrested after ICPC commenced investigations into allegations that the suspects, acting in connivance with the former Governor, former Accountant-General, Ibrahim Idakwo and a former  Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Commerce, Frank Onoja, had obtained a N2billion Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria on behalf of the state which was misapplied.

    “Preliminary investigations by the Commission also revealed that the suspects allegedly partook in the mismanagement of another N8 billion bond that was raised to fund 57 projects across the state. The large sums of monies released for the projects were allegedly far beyond the levels of work done.

    “Furthermore, the suspects are alleged to have benefitted from illegal deductions to the tune of N1.3 billion made from the funds of 21 local government councils of the state by the same administration.

    “As investigations continue, the suspects will remain in custody until they fulfill the administrative bail conditions granted them by the Commission.”

  • ICPC seeks to prosecute corruption cases in Federal High Courts, others

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) yesterday said it had proposed to the National Assembly to empower it to prosecute corruption cases in Federal High Courts.

    The commission also sought the limiting of its board membership to seven as against the present 13 commissioners.

    Also, the ICPC is seeking amendment to its Act to retain a percentage of its recoveries to help fund the commission.

    These demands are contained in a memorandum to the House of Representatives Committee on Anti-Corruption during a public hearing on a bill to amend the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

    A statement by the spokesperson of the ICPC, Mrs. Rasheedat A. Okoduwa, said the agency requires options of courts in prosecuting suspects.

    The statement said the Acting Chairman of the ICPC, Hon. Abdullahi Bako, who made the presentation said the amendment had become “necessary given the fact that the commission is restricted by its extant law to prosecute cases only in State High Courts.”

    Bako said the restriction had hampered its prosecutorial effectiveness because “high profile defendants often wield substantial influence within a state.”

    The statement said: “In the memorandum, the commission also made other proposals for amendment such as: limiting board membership of the commission to seven persons as against thirteen that currently obtains; returning recovered proceeds of corruption to their original sources whether federal, state, local government or private persons; retaining a percentage of its recoveries to help fund the commission; amongst others.

    “Speaking earlier at the opening ceremony of the occasion, the Committee Chairman, Hon. Akinloye H. Babajide, had stated that the amendment of the Act was being done to enhance and strengthen the commission’s efficiency and effectiveness.

    “He stressed the importance of the public hearing as a forum for the general public to make inputs in order to make a good law to aid the overall fight against corruption.

    “The public hearing attracted stakeholders in the country who made presentations in support of the proposed amendments.

    “For the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), which was represented by their Legal Director, Mrs. Ifeoma Ewosa, recovered proceeds of corruption should not just be returned to their original owners, but there should be a time-frame, e.g. 30 days, for such a return to be carried out and also sanctions should be stipulated for non-compliance.

    “The representative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Deputy Director, Legal and Prosecution Department, Mr. Jonson Ojogbane, argued strongly that it was the international best practice for a law-enforcement agency to retain a fraction of its recovered proceeds of crime.

    “ He, therefore, urged that the ICPC proposal should be accepted.

    “However, one of the representatives of the Nigerian Law Reforms Commission, Mr. Jerry Kodilinye Ezeobi, objected to the amendment proposal for the ICPC to retain a part of its recoveries.

    “According to him, it would make the commission deviate from its mandate of fighting corruption to seeking benefits it would gain from recoveries.

    Other stakeholders who were present included representatives of the Service Chiefs, Code of Conduct Bureau, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Law School, Nigerian Governors’ Forum, journalists and civil society groups.