The Nation Newspaper

Tag: ICPC

  • Funds diversion: FG withdraws charge against Orubebe, others

    Funds diversion: FG withdraws charge against Orubebe, others

    The Federal Government on Tuesday withdrew a six-count charge brought against a former Minister of Niger-Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe and some others over their alleged complicity in the purported diversion of N1.97 billion released by government for the East-West Road dualisation project.

    Orubebe, Oludare Lawrence Alaba, an Assistant Director, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Ephraim Tewolde Zeri (Director of Contracts in Gitto Costruzioni Generali Nigeria Limited) and the construction company were named in the charge marked: CR/265/2016, filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).

    The accused persons allegedly diverted N1, 965,576,153.46 project fund.

    According to the ICPC, the fund formed part of the N2, 320,686,826.00 earmarked for payment of compensation to owners of properties marked for demolition in respect of the dualisation of the Eket Urban Section of the East-West Road (Section IV).

    The accused persons were arraigned on September 7, 2016 before Justice Olukayode Adeniyi.

    They pleaded not guilty to the charge following which they were granted bail.

    Before trial could commence, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), wrote the Chairman of the ICPC, requesting the discontinuation of the trial.

    The AGF, in the December 16, 2016 letter, written on his behalf by the Director of Public prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Mohammed U. E., said there was no need proceeding with the trial following his realisation that the fund has not been spent.

     

  • ICPC dismisses group’s allegations against Aregbesola as baseless, unsubstantiated

    ICPC dismisses group’s allegations against Aregbesola as baseless, unsubstantiated

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has described the petition of the Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State against Governor Rauf Aregbesola as baseless and unsubstantiated.

    ICPC, in a letter addressed to the petitioner, Chairman, Civil Society Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State, which was copied to the Osun Secretary to the State Government stated that it’s investigations have not established an act contrary to the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act, 2000 as none of the allegations were substantiated.

    The commission stated that having diligently investigated the allegations and finding nothing against Aregbesola, the allegations have been dismissed.

    The Government, through the Bureau of Communication and Strategy in the Office of the Governor, reminded Nigerians that the ICPC’s final decision was a vindication of the repeated claims by the government that the group was one of individuals hired for the purpose of tarnishing its name.

    ICPC, in the letter titled, Re: Petition against Osun State Governor- Mr. Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, for criminal and reckless mismanagement of Osun State funds since November 2010 to August 2015 held that all of the allegations brought forward have been looked into conclusively with no infraction substantiated.

    According to ICPC, “the above case bordering on fraudulent diversion of N11.4 billion obtained through Osun SUKUK bond to private foreign account, money meant for building of schools regardless of the N13.9 billion intervention funds from. The Federal Government through UBEC for the purpose of building classrooms has been investigated conclusively with no infraction substantiated.

    “An investigation of? the above allegations confirmed that Osun State government raised N11.344 billion from the issue of the SUKUK bond through Nigerian commercial banks. Investigation also revealed that after the issue of the bond, Osun State Government sought and got approvals from the Securities and Exchange Commission and Shariah Board of Lotus Capital Ltd. To amend the schedule of schools to be constructed from 27 mixed schools to 11 high schools and to furnish the schools. The approval of SUKUK holders is still pending.

    “Also contrary to the allegation that the SUKUK proceed was diverted to private foreign account, it was disbursed from Osun SUKUK company accounts with 13 Collecting Nigerian Commercial banks and used for payments of contractors awarded the contracts of construction and furnishing of 11 senior Secondary Schools in various part of Osun State.

    “Furthermore, contrary to the allegation that N13.9 billion was disbursed by UBEC to Osun State, the total of N7,192,585,041.64 has been disbursed to Osun SUBEB for the period 2011-2015. This amount consists of Universal Basic Education matching grants, Special Education Funds, Teachers Professional Development Fund and state’s counterpart funds lodgement in line with UBE Act 2004.

     

     

  • ICPC recovers N8.7b from bank, others

    ICPC recovers N8.7b from bank, others

    The Chairman of the  Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission(ICPC), Mr. Ekpo Nta, yesterday confirmed the recovery of N8, 705, 750, 426.15 from Infrastructure Bank and other five sources in 2016.
    He said of the funds about N6billion was frozen in the bank alone.
    He also said the commission received 1,569 petitions last year, filed 70 cases and secured 11 convictions.
    Nta, who made the disclosures at news conference in Abuja, said about 303 criminal cases were still ongoing.
    He said: “In 2016, we were able to recover N8, 705, 750, 426.15 including about N6billion which was frozen in Infrastructure Bank. Also, out of the total amount, N668 593, 621. 60 was refunded  to Kano State from SURE-P funds; we have about N292, 013, 150.64 in TSA and N1, 694, 397, 275. 51 pension monies paid to Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Company (NELMCO) beneficiaries and others.
    “The recoveries include N20, 890,000 for NSITF Multi-purpose Cooperative Society and the balance of recovery is for extorted students of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) and other victims.
    “About 124 vehicles were recovered under the SURE-P Programme last year. We have handed over 40 of the vehicles, which we retrieved from some directors,  to the Federal Ministry of Water Resources on January 26. Part of what we are doing is  to escalate the recovery process this year.
    “Also, 42 fake corps members in full uniform were all picked up here in Abuja. We have to bring their parents for ‘graduation’ in Abuja before we released them.
    “We want to appeal to Ministries Departments and Agencies(MDAs) to be careful because these fake corps members no longer go to NYSC camps again to avoid being caught. They now post themselves to MDAs.
    Nta, who gave update on the petitions sent to ICPC in 2016, claimed that North-Central(including the Federal Capital Territory)   topped the chart with 782 .
    The breakdown of petitions from other geopolitical zones is as follows: Southwest(295); Southsouth(201); Northwest(118);  Southeast (106); Northeast (62); the United Kingdom(4) and the United States(1).
    Asked of what has become of the alleged investigation of some  governors, Nta  said he was shocked to be reading stories with some figures ascribed to ICPC.
    “We saw some media reporting that we had completed the investigation of 30 governors in the past. We also wake up to read reports about ourselves quoting sources.
    “Section 64 of the Corrupt Practices Act does not allow the publishing of those facts until we are in court. It is in the court you draw such inferences.
    “Of recent, a medium reported that we have placed all Permanent Secretaries on watch-list by quoting sources. Yet, the medium said the story was from ICPC.
    Nta explained why ICPC had been focusing on preventive measures.
    He said: “While the full weight of the law must be brought against corrupt persons, it is crucial that in addition, anti-corruption efforts be focused on prevention through systems reform and reduction of opportunity for corruption.
    “The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offence Commission  (ICPC) in fulfillment of its mandate at Section 6(b-d) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, vigorously pursues systems reform to deliberately and consciously  shut the door against illicit activities.
    “We not only identify corruption-prone processes, practices and procedures in government agencies but work with them to institutionalize corruption-free processes and enforce compliance. There are ongoing collaborations to strengthen the ethical tone of Ministries, Departments and Agencies through Anti-corruption and Transparency  Units (ACTUs).”

     

     

  • ICPC recovers N20.9m for NSITF Multi-purpose cooperative society

    ICPC recovers N20.9m for NSITF Multi-purpose cooperative society

    The Independent Corrupt and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has uncovered N20.9 million for NSITF Multi-purpose Cooperative Society.

    The Chairman of the commission, Mr Ekpo Nta, disclosed this on Monday at the ICPC Chairman’s Media Parley in Abuja.

    Nta said favourable results were recorded as a result of the dedication of the enforcement staff of the commission.

    He said the development was sequel to the ICPC’s investigations into a petition alleging fraud at the cooperative society.

    He said the investigation became imperative because of the unhealthy and low level of cooperative societies across the country.

    The chairman also disclosed that the commission had recovered N698.45 million out of which N668. 593,621.60 was refunded to Kano State from SURE-P funds.

  • Corruption: Osinbajo meets Magu, Idris, DSS chief, others

    Corruption: Osinbajo meets Magu, Idris, DSS chief, others

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday night held a closed-door meeting with heads of security and anti-corruption agencies over fight against corruption in the country.

    Some top government officials also attended the meeting.

    The meeting, which lasted about two hours, ended around 8:00 p.m.

    Those at the meeting were the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, Inspector- General of Police, Ibrahim Idris,  Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, the Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Ekpo Nta.

    Also at the meeting were the Director -General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Daura, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu ‎and the Director-General of Nigeria Processing Zone Authority (NIPZA).

    Details of the meeting were unknown at the time of filing this report.‎

    Some heads of the anti-graft agencies had earlier met with the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, before meeting with Osinbajo.‎

    Kyari had also separately met with the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), ‎Godwin Emefiele and the Minister of Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah.

    Speaking with State House correspondents after the meeting, Magu blamed corruption for the current recession in the country.

    He said “I’m asking all Nigerians to join in the fight against corruption. Adults, children, men, women and you journalists. Corruption is the greatest menace we are facing in the country.

    “Corruption is responsible for the recession we are witnessing today. So all Nigerians must join in the fight against graft.”

     

     

     

  • ICPC ‘seizes 62 houses from female law enforcement officer’

    ICPC ‘seizes 62 houses from female law enforcement officer’

    THE Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) said yesterday it had seized over 100 properties from corrupt officials.
    Its Chairman, Mr. Ekpo Nta, who spoke yesterday at the Akwa Ibom State Anti-Corruption Summit, said some of the affected properties include 62 houses seized from a female law enforcement officer, whose case had been taken to the court.
    Investigations were ongoing, he said, adding that the seized properties would be forfeited to the Federal Government after sufficient evidence were adduced that the suspects acquired them fraudulently.
    The ICPC boss expressed delights that the Federal Government’s anti-corruption war was gradually yielding fruits.
    The summit tagged: “Transparency and Accountability; a panacea to good governance and sustainable development”, took place at the Ibom L’meridien and Golf Resort, Uyo.
    Besides, Ekpo Nta said the commission had successfully retrieved 40 vehicles that were stolen by retired Directors of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and warned against trivialising the anti-graft war of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.
    “There are many facets of corruption in Nigeria”, the ICPC chair noted, saying the commission would stop at nothing to bring anyone found to have contravened the anti-corruption crusade to book.
    He said 400 of such cases were pending in courts, vowing that those found guilty at the end of investigations would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
    Towards achieving a holistic action plan against the malaise in Nigeria, Ekpo Nta, said the commission has taken a step further by launching the campaigns in institutions of higher learning and the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC).

  • Over 100 properties recovered from corrupt officials – ICPC

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) on Tuesday said it had seized over 100 properties from corrupt officials.

    The Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Ekpo Nta, who disclosed this at the Akwa Ibom State Anti-Corruption summit, expressed delights that the Federal Government’s anti-corruption war was gradually yielding fruits.

    The summit tagged: “Transparency and Accountability; a panacea to good governance and sustainable development,” took place at the Ibom L’meridien and Golf Resort, Uyo, the state capital.

    According to the ICPC chief, some of the affected properties include 62 houses seized from a female law enforcement officer.

    Nta said investigation on the matter was ongoing, adding that some of the seized properties would be forfeited to the Federal Government when sufficient evidence has been adduced that the suspect acquired them fraudulently.

     

     

     

  • ICPC recovers 40 vehicles from directors, others

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences (ICPC) on Wednesday handed over 40 vehicles it recovered from retired directors and assistant directors of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.

    One of the directors carted away five vehicles after his retirement.

    But ICPC said the affected retired public officers will still face the full wrath of the law after the completion of ongoing investigation.

    According to the Chairman of ICPC, Barrister Ekpo Nta, the vehicles were recovered by a crack team led by the commission’s Director of Asset Tracing, Mr. Frank Nanakumo.

    Nta, who was represented at the occasion by a Commissioner in ICPC, Alhaji Bako Abdullahi, said the anti-graft agency acted on intelligence report on the looting of operational and utility vehicles of the affected ministry.

    According to records made available by ICPC, the breakdown of the recovered vehicles is as follows: Hilux pickup (13); 1 Hilux pickup; 2 Toyota RAV4; 1 Audi Q7; 1 Ford Explorer; 1 Land Rover; 1 Nissan Patrol; 8 Toyota Prado; 3 Toyota Avensis; 7 Toyota Corolla; 1 Toyota Camry and 1 Audi A6.

    Nta said: “It is extremely sad that vehicles meant for the administrative and operational responsibilities of government establishment were dishonestly made away with by retiring senior public officers in whose oversight were the vehicles.

    “However, it is fulfilling because the commission in its usual effort was alive to its law enforcement and prevention mandate in the fight against corruption.

    “Ladies and gentlemen, in all seriousness, this formality should not just be for handing-over of recovered vehicles from an anti-corruption agency to another public institution. Rather, it should be a moment for solemn reflection on our avowed commitment to public service and the thought processes of the public servant going into retirement.

    “You will agree with me that, it is not so much that official vehicles of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources were dishonestly made away with by retiring public servants.

    “However, what is more significant is the need to ask some questions and consistently interrogate how 40 government vehicles were removed without authorization.

    “Ladies and gentlemen, it is also important to say that in the fight against corruption, it is not so much about those who dishonestly enriched themselves through government vehicles, but the opportunities for corruption that made this corrupt act possible in the first place.”

     

  • Falana to Senate: forward your report on SGF to ICPC

    Falana to Senate: forward your report on SGF to ICPC

    Lagos lawyer Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) yesterday urged the Senate to send its report indicting Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir David Lawal, for alleged abuse of office, to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Commission (ICPC “without any further delay”
    In a statement, he said this was necessary “since the findings of the Senate have not been challenged by the federal government.”
    Falana said: “With respect, the Presidency made a mistake in asking the Senate to “pardon” the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir David Lawal who has not denied the grave allegations of corruption made against him. Unlike Mr. Ibrahim Magu whose nomination is subject to the confirmation of the Senate Mr. Lawal was recommended for removal and prosecution by the Senate. So the Senate cannot ignore or set aside the findings of the Senator Shehu Sanni-led Committee on Mounting Humanitarian Crisis in the North East region.
    “However, the criminal diversion of funds earmarked for the provision of relief materials to provide succour for internally displaced people is akin to crimes against humanity.
    “Therefore, the former public officers who stole the fund allocated for the purchase of weapons to fight the Boko Haram terrorists and the serving public officers who diverted the fund earmarked for the rehabilitation of internally displaced persons deserve to be prosecuted in like manner by the federal government which has said that there would be no sacred cows in the fight against corruption.
    “To that extent any attempt to sweep the serious allegations of corrupt practices involving the Secretary to the Government of the Fedeation, Mr Babachir David Lawal, under the carpet will create a moral crisis for the war against corruption and impunity in the country.”

  • ICPC stops university from exploiting students

    ICPC stops university from exploiting students

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC),  yesterday said its intervention stopped the exploitation of students by the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.

    A statement by the commission’s spokesperson, Mrs Rasheedat Okoduwa, said fresh undergraduates of the university who were allegedly exploited by the school authority to the tune of N4.76 million were refunded their money.

    According to the statement, the refund is as a result of the intervention of the ICPC, following a petition by one of the students.

    It noted that the student alleged that fresh undergraduates were made to pay an additional N5, 000 as fee for ICT training.

    It said the student in his petition, told the commission that they had earlier paid N2,500 before they were asked to pay the additional N5,000.

    It noted that upon receipt of the petition, the operatives of the commission swung into action, while investigations revealed that the students were levied twice for the same training.

    “The commission, after bringing the issue to the attention of the management of the university, directed it to resolve it within a stipulated period.

    “ Following that directive, the affected students were requested by the school to provide evidence of payment of the said N5, 000 to the college accountants to facilitate a refund.

    It said random telephone calls from the affected students to the commission confirmed the refund.