Tag: ICPC

2Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

ICPC Uncovers ₦450 Million Hidden In Bank Account By Court Officials

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Monday said it had seized $919,202.07 (about N450 million) hidden in a bank account by some court officials. It said the cash was kept in an interest-yielding account by some officials of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, in 2014. A statement by the commission’s spokesperson, Mrs. Azuka C. Ogugua, said: “Acting on a petition instituted against some officials of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt for alleged corrupt practices, the ICPC has obtained an Interim Forfeiture Order on $919,202.07 (approximately N450 million) fraudulently hidden in a bank account. “Investigators in the Rivers State office of the commission traced the money that had been hidden in an ...

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26Nov By BobbyNo Comments

News

Acting DG of NABDA arrested over N400m fraud

The acting Director-General (DG) of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), Alex Akpa has been arrested by the ICPC for allegedly defrauding the federal government of N400 million.   Mr Akpa who is a professor of microbiology, was arrested by operatives of the commission to answer questions on how the said amount was misappropriated under his watch. He is currently being investigated for abuse of office.   It was alleged that the Acting DG of NABDA claimed the money he diverted was an intervention fund for the biotechnology agency and he allegedly shared the money with top management staff of the agency.   The commission said the offence committed by Akpan whose appointment came in June, is contrary to and punishable under sections 19 and 26 ...

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30Aug By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Lauretta Onochie Asks EFCC, ICPC To Probe FFK Over N2bn Missing Aviation Fund

The insult Femi Fani-Kayode recently made at a Daily Trust journalist appears to have opened his page again on the corruption allegation made against him as Aviation minister. According to reports, President Buhari's media aide, Lauretta Onochie has called for an immediate probe into the ex-minister’s dealing while in office. She made the call on Saturday, August 29, by urging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to look into an allegation levelled against him by Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi. Amaechi who claimed that FFK, as he is popularly called, made away with N2 billion made for a runway construction in Port Harcourt. Speaking during an interview with Channels TV, the Transport minister s...

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29Aug By dthataNo Comments

News

ICPC Arrests Top NDDC Officials For Fraud

Two directors at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) have been arrested by the Independent Corrupt Practices & Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). One of the arrested directors is in charge of education, health, and social services, while the other is in charge of special projects. Their arrest, PREMIUM TIMES learnt, borders on allegations of abuse of office regarding COVID-19 spending by the NDDC and the mishandling of the commission’s scholarship programme. The directors, whose names could not be ascertained Friday night, were arrested on Monday and were detained till Thursday before they were released on administrative bail. Azuka Ogugua, ICPC’s spokesperson, confirmed the arrest to PREMIUM TIMES, Friday. She did not, however, mention where the of...

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15Jul By BobbyNo Comments

News

Fighting Corruption Will Get More Difficult in Nigeria – Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has stated that the ongoing fight against Corruption might get difficult in coming days. Speaking at the 20th-anniversary regional webinar organised by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other offences Commission (ICPC) on Tuesday July 14, the Vice President stated that aside from the difficulties, many people will also get frustrated for standing against corruption. Osinbajo who spoke on the topic “Combating corruption and illicit financial flows: New measures and strategies", said; “The fight against corruption is nuanced and hydra-headed, it is not going to get easier by the day; as a matter of fact, it will get more difficult by the day and many will become discouraged in standing up against corruption. “…Over the years, massive public re...

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19May By dthataNo Comments

Politics

PhD Scandal: Onu Overrules Board, ICPC, Orders Demoted FIIRO Boss’ Reinstatement

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, has ordered the reinstatement of a former acting Director-General of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, Lagos, Chima Igwe. MCI learnt that Onu, in a letter to the FIIRO Governing Board, directed that the 58-year-old be returned as acting DG. With the development, the minister has overruled the decision of the governing board to demote Igwe and his indictment by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission. The FIIRO board recommended Igwe’s demotion to the position of principal research officer after it emerged that he did not complete his PhD in 2001 as he claimed. The board initially suspended him based on a report from the ICPC, which established contact with Universite...

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26Apr By dthataNo Comments

Crime

List Of Properties ICPC Seized From Ojerinde, Ex-JAMB Registrar

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC has taken over several properties belonging to a former registrar of the Joint Admission Matriculation Board, JAMB, Professor Dibu Ojerinde. The seizure followed a court order from a federal high court in Abuja. The order which was published in a national daily on Friday instructed the anti-corruption outfit to immediately take over Ojerinde’s Properties which were reportedly acquired with public funds obtained through corrupt practices. “An order of this Honourable Court is hereby made for the interim forfeiture to the Federal Republic of Nigeria of all the immovable properties listed in A attached to the affidavit in support and marked by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Co...

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8Mar By BobbyNo Comments

Education

“Start Printing UTME Slip” – JAMB Tells 2020 Candidates

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Saturday said prospective candidates for the 2020 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) are free to print their examination slips for the Computer Based Test. Dr Fabian Benjamin, Head, Media and Information of the board, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday that the examination slips for the UTME which is to commence nationwide on Saturday, March 14 could be printed anywhere. Benjamin also stated that candidates are expected to look out for the locations of their centres before their examination dates. “This is in order to avoid running around on the examination day trying to locate the centres, and as a result, getting to the centre late. “It should be stated clearly now that lateness to the ex...

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17Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Court Orders Arrest Of Abdullahi Dikko, Ex-Customs Boss

A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of former Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Abdullahi Inde Dikko over his continued failure to attend court to answer to a charge of fraud brought against him and two others by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC). Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, while ordering Dikko’s arrest on Monday, noted that his lawyer, Solomon Akuma (SAN) who, on the last adjourned date, undertook to ensure that his client attends court today, only turned around to present a medical report, claiming Dikko was critically ill and on admission in London. Justice Ojukwu noted that Dikko’s address, as shown on the medical report – No: N6 Amhed Musa Crescent Jabi, Abuja – did not suppo...

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27Jan By dthataNo Comments

News

ICPC Statement On The 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index 2019

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) finds it necessary to issue a statement on the 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index released recently by the Transparency International (TI), the global anti-corruption watchdog. The report ranked Nigeria 146 out of 180 countries with a score of 26 out 0f 100 and painted a dismal picture of the country’s anti-corruption efforts by placing Nigeria as the second most corrupt country in the West African region. ICPC hereby states categorically that the report is unfair and untenable as Transparency International has consistently failed to recognise the efforts of the government to tame corruption. These efforts include increasing number of cases filed in court and jail terms secured in several convictions agains...

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7Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Remove EFCC & ICPC From Malami’s Control – Prof. Sagay Advises Buhari

Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to remove the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) from the control and supervision of the Ministry of Justice. Speaking to Daily Independent on Sunday, Sagay said he is unhappy with frequent attempts by Abubakar Malami (SAN), the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, to whittle down the powers of the two anti-corruption agencies, especially that of Ibrahim Magu, the acting EFCC chairman. Sagay, whose committee has recommended Magu for reappointment by President Buhari for a second term, said it is worrisome that the Ministry of Ju...

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13Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

ICPC Declares Federal Lawmaker, Shehu Mohammed Wanted

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission has declared a lawmaker representing Maiyama/Koko/Besse Federal Constituency in Kebbi State, Shehu Mohammed, wanted. A statement posted on the commission’s website by its spokesperson, Rasheedat Okoduwa, on Thursday, said Mohammed was wanted for failure to appear before the ICPC in an ongoing investigation against him. The statement said, “Mohammed is hereby declared wanted by the ICPC for his failure to appear before the commission, for an ongoing investigation against him. “Mohammed, an indigene of Kebbi State, is currently serving as an honourable member representing the Maiyama/Koko/Besse Federal Constituency in the National Assembly. He was born on June 16, 1978 (41 years old) and is dark in complexio...

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10Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Anti-corruption: Ugwuanyi Lauds Buhari, EFCC

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, on Monday, applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for his administration’s determined fight against economic crimes and corruption in the country. Gov. Ugwuanyi, who spoke at the event commemorating this year’s International Anti-Corruption Day, held at the South East zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in Enugu, also appreciated the genuine efforts of the acting Chairman of the commission, Mr. Ibrahim Magu and his team, in the enthronement of transparency and prudence in the management of public finances. The governor while acknowledging the contributions of the commission in the South East zone equally commended its zonal head, Usman Imam and his team for “your untiring efforts to sustain zero tolerance fo...

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7Nov By dthataNo Comments

News

EFCC And ICPC Stripped Of Powers To Seize Assets In Corruption Cases

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other allied bodies have been stripped of the powers to seize assets of people being investigated and such powers transferred to the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF). Hitherto, the EFCC had the powers to initiate non-conviction based forfeiture as was done in the case of the wife of a former President, Patience Jonathan. With the new directive, only the AGF can initiate seizure orders from the court. The directive was made public through a Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette, Vol. 106, No 163, entitled, “Asset Tracing, Recovery and Management Regulation 2019’’, dated Oct. 29, 2019. “All non-conviction based forfeiture shall be conducted by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation. “...

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4Nov By Czar Owolabi MarcusNo Comments

Crime

ICPC arrests two government officials for ‘diverting’ N68m meant for school feeding in Kogi

Officials of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission ICPC have arrested two officials of the National Social Investment Programme (N-SIP) in Kogi state over alleged N68 million fraud. N-SIP was set up by the Buhari-led administration in 2016 to tackle poverty and hunger in the country. Part of the programme's mandate is to provide meals for indigent students in public schools. A statement released by the commission's spokesperson, Rasheedat Okoduwa, gave the names of the suspects as Khadijat Karibo, the state programme manager for the national home-grown school feeding programme, and Adoga Ibrahim, a former focal person for the programme in the state. According to Okoduwa, the commission received a petition which alleged that the two officials were ...

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23Oct By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Ministries, Departments, Agencies In Secret Recruitments To Cover N9.2bn Fraud

The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, Bolaji Owasanoye, yesterday revealed that after the ICPC discovered N9.2bn as over-bloated personnel costs of the ministries, departments and agencies, the MDAs went on secret recruitments for a cover-up. “They hurriedly started employing people. Appointments given yesterday were backdated one year, and ad hoc staff upgraded,” he revealed. Speaking before the joint Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Anti-corruption and Financial Crime at the 2020 budget defence, he said the ICPC had recovered the money from the various MDAs. He said the money would have been “padded” as personnel costs if the commission had not discovered it. “We got them to sign off the money. The money is now available for governm...

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23Oct By dthataNo Comments

Politics

ICPC Declares Okoi Ofem Obono-Obla Wanted For Corruption Accusations

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has declared wanted the suspended chairman of the Special Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property, Mr. Okoi Ofem Obono-Obla Taking to its official Twitter handle @ICPC_PE on Tuesday, the ICPC noted that the former presidential aide was declared wanted “due to his repeated failure to appear before it to answer questions bordering on allegations of fraud and corruption.” “Mr. Obono-Obla is facing [a] series of allegations leveled against him by members of the public on his role as head of the government panel on asset recovery. “The Commission is in receipt of petitions accusing him of abuse of office, falsification of admission records, living above his income and collection of gratification...

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20Oct By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Employment Slots Scandal: SERAP Calls On ICPC, EFCC To Probe Senate, MDAs

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, (SERAP) has asked the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to: “jointly carry out a prompt, thorough, transparent and effective investigation  into allegations that principal officers and members of the Nigerian Senate are using their official positions to get job slots from government agencies.” SERAP also urged the anti-corruption agencies to: “probe allegations that some ministries, departments and agencies are selling the employment slots at their disposal, with a single slot being allegedly sold for as much as N1.5 million. We urge you to prosecute anyone suspected to be involved should you consider there is relevant and sufficient admissible...

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27Sep By dthataNo Comments

Politics

ICPC Lied, No Constituency Project Items Recovered From Me – Sen. Buruji Kashamu

A former Senator, who represented Ogun East in the eighth National Assembly has debunked a statement credited to the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) that it had recovered three ambulances and a 500KVA transformer which were Constituency Project items from him. ICPC had in a statement Thursday, said ‘the items were part of 2016 Constituency Projects meant to be distributed to Ogun East Senatorial District.” The commission said the items were allegedly discovered by its Constituency Project Tracking Team at Kashamu’s Constituency Project Office in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, after a tip-off by a constituent, a statement signed by the commission’s spokesperson, Mrs Rasheedat Okoduwa, said. But Kashamu said “no items were recovered” from his constituency office in Ijebu...

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26Sep By dthataNo Comments

Politics

ICPC recovers three ambulances, 500KVA Transformer from Senator Buruji Kashamu

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Thursday said it has recovered three ambulances and a 500KVA Transformer which are Constituency Project items from Sen. Buruji Kashamu. The agency said the items were part of 2016 Constituency Projects meant to be distributed to Ogun East Senatorial District. The items were discovered at his Constituency Project Office in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State. A statement by the Spokesperson for the Commission, Mrs. Rasheedat A. Okoduwa, mni, said the commission uncovered the items following intelligence alert by a concerned citizen. The statement said: “The three ambulances which were procured at the cost of N6m each, were meant to be supplied to Obada Healthcare Centre, Oke Sopin in Ijebu North Local Govern...

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26Sep By dthataNo Comments

Politics

“Osinbajo Should Resign And Submit Himself To ICPC” – Deji Adeyanju

Deji Adeyanju as took to his twitter page to react to the news about Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo’s declaration of his readiness to waive his constitutional immunity to “enable the most robust adjudication” of several baseless allegations, insinuation and falsehoods against his person and office by Timi Frank and one Katch Ononuju. If Osinbajo truly wants to waive his immunity, he should resign and submit himself to ICPC tomorrow morning for investigation. There’s nothing to fear. After investigation, Buhari will re-nominate him to National Assembly if he is corruption free.

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20Sep By dthataNo Comments

Sport

ICPC Seizes Amaju Pinnick’s Properties In Warri, Abuja, Lagos, London

Aside from the investigations by the ICPC, the EFCC and the SPIP are also looking into the financial dealings of the NFF. Several properties belonging to president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick and other top officials of the federation have been seized by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The ICPC have moved against Pinnick and top NFF scribe as they investigate allegations of financial misappropriation. Pinnick is the owner of half of the 12 properties that the ICPC said they have seized during the investigation. The anti-corruption agency published a newspaper advert about the properties seized. Properties of the NFF boss seized by the ICPC include a mansion in Ikoyi, a bungalow in GRA, Warri, an ev...

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18Sep By dthataNo Comments

Politics

VP Osinbajo Inaugurates Committee To Recover N5 Trillion AMCON Debts

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, on Tuesday, inaugurated a Special Committee to recover the N5 trillion debts owed the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON). Personal Assistant to the President on New Media, Bashir Ahmad, disclosed this in a statement on his Twitter handle on Tuesday. A statement subsequently issued by Osinbajo’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, also confirmed the development. Members of the committee include Heads and Representatives of Agencies such as AMCON; the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC); Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU); the ICPC; Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC); and the c. “One of the terms of reference is for the committee to prepare a rep...

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14Sep By dthataNo Comments

Uncategorized

ICPC Seals Amaju Pinnick’s Lagos Residence

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has sealed the Lagos residence of the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick. Igbere TV reports that the move comes as part of the commission’s investigation into the activities of the football body. The apartment is situated at Parkview estate in Ikoyi, Lagos. ICPC had earlier on Friday sealed the Abuja residence of the NFF second Vice President, Shehu Dikko. The commission launched investigation into NFF’s activities following allegations of corruption.

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11Sep By dthataNo Comments

Crime

We Will Make FIIRO DG’s PhD Scandal Report Public – ICPC

A week after The PUNCH’s investigation into the non-existent doctorate of the acting Director General of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, Chima Igwe, the government has refused to take action. The Ministry of Science and Technology had stated that it could not do anything because Igwe’s academic records were with FIIRO. The ministry had also shifted responsibility to the institute’s governing board and a former director general, Prof. Gloria Elemo. It also claimed not to be aware of any investigation into the matter. However, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission has promised to make public its findings on the matter. Our correspondent had reported that Igwe joined FIIRO in 1991 and rose through the ranks. However...

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2Sep By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Timi Frank Urges FBI, EFCC, ICPC To Go After Yahoo Politicians

A political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has called on the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to prevail on the nation’s anti-corruption agencies to clampdown on politicians he identified as 'Yahoo Yahoo,' most of whom are currently in the present administration. Frank, while commending FBI and other international security agencies said the ‘Yahoo politicians’ in Nigeria are actually responsible for the breeding of internet fraudsters known as 'Yahoo Yahoo boys' in the country. The Bayelsa-born activist cited a situation where a governor, minister or any other government appointee who was nowhere financially before they get into public office suddenly become stupendously affluent after their...

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29Aug By dthataNo Comments

News

Nigerians Pay N400 Billion Bribes Annually – ICPC Official

An official of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) said Nigerians pay an estimated N400bn annually as bribes to obtain public services. The Principal Investigator at the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN), the research and training arm of ICPC, Suleiman Suleiman, said this on Tuesday. He spoke at the stakeholders meeting on Nigeria Corruption Index (NCI), and presentation of a policy brief on Eradication of Electoral Corruption Awareness Survey in Abuja. Mr Suleiman, who is also a research fellow at ACAN, said 32.3 per cent of Nigerian service users pay a bribe across key sectors/services and regions. He quoted the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) 2016 data that estimated that corruption will wipe off 37 per cent of Nigeria’s GD...

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27Jul By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Ministerial Lists: Probe Buhari’s Nominees – Satguru Maharaj Ji Urges EFCC, ICPC

The founder of One Love Family, Satguru Maharaj Ji, has called on anti-graft agencies, such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to probe the nominees named in President Muhammadu Buhari’s list of prospective Ministers. He said that the ongoing screening by the Senate was not enough to really know the antecedents of those that have been nominated to serve the country. Maharaj Ji made the call during a press conference to mark his 39th year anniversary that he “arrived the world, precisely the shores of Nigeria in 1980 with the true original name of the creator known and called Maharaj Ji,” held at Satguru Maharaj Ji Village, Kilometre 10, Ibadan-Lagos Expressway, Ibadan, Oyo State...

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15Jul By dthataNo Comments

News

Nigeria Accounts For Bulk Of Africa’s $90 Billion Stashed Assets – ICPC

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has said Nigeria accounts for the bulk of Africa’s $90 billion assets stashed abroad yearly. It regretted that the continent never received the same amount in aid from development partners in 12 months.ICPC Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owosanoye, at an African Union (AU) event in Bauchi, lamented that the citizens suffer one denial or the other on account of graft. Represented by the ICPC commissioner in the state, Abubakar Dutsinma, he said tax fraud and illicit financial flow investigations were also being conducted by the commission as well as prosecution of corruption and money laundering. He hinted that efforts were geared towards the recovery of stolen wealth for Nigeria’s transformation. The ICPC boss...

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12Jul By dthataNo Comments

Politics

ICPC Seizes Akpabio’s International Passport

The woes of former Senate Minority Leader, Chief Godswill Akpabio has been further compounded with seizing of his International Passports and other travel documents by the nation’s anti-corruption agency, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other-related offences Commission, ICPC.... The confiscation of Akpabio’s international passport follows the diversion of multi-million naira medical equipment and generating plant originally approved as constituency projects for Akwa Ibom North West (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial District, by the immediate past lawmaker. A major stir occurred during the brief ceremony at which the medical director of the hospital Dr. Mary Udoh received the equipment from the ICPC. Dr Udoh while fielding questions from journalists was vociferously interrupted a...

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12Jul By BobbyNo Comments

News

EX-NIHSA DG John Shamonda imprisoned for using state fund for sallah

Mr John Ayoade Shamonda, the former Director-General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, has been handed a prison sentence after being arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, ICPC.   The ICPC arraigned the Ex-NIHSA DG on 10 counts, bordering on knowingly making false statement and virement without approval. He was also accused of buying two Toyota Prado jeeps and two Hiace buses totalling the sum of N49.15m from the N603m he was given by the FG, for the rehabilitation and replacement of damaged hydrological equipment across the country following the devastating incident of flooding in 2012.   Justice Adeniyi Ademola in his judgement, said Shamonda was found guilty of using part...

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4Jul By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Court Approves Lai Mohammed As Witness In N2.5bn Alleged Fraud Trial

A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted an application to list former minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed, as prosecution witness in a trial of alleged misapplication of N2.5 billion Federal Government Digital Switch-Over (DSO) programme. Justice Folashade Ogunbanjo-Giwa granted the application on Thursday. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had filed the application. The commission is prosecuting the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Ishaq Kawu, for alleged abuse of office and money laundering. Kawu was slammed with a 12-count charge alongside the chairman of Pinnacle Communications Limited, Lucky Omoluwa, and the company’s chief operating officer, Dipo Onifade. ICPC also seeks to ...

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1Jul By BobbyNo Comments

News

NBC boss Kawu, three others re-arraigned over N2.5b fraud case

The Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Moddibbo Kawu was re-arraigned with three others on Monday before a Federal High Court in over alleged fraud in the handling of N2.5 billion, part of seed grant for Digital Switch-Over (DSO) project of the Federal Government. Modibo was re-arraigned with Pinnacle Communications Limited, its Chairman Lucky Omoluwa and the firm’s Chief Operating Officer, Dipo Onifade on Monday on an amended charge filed by the prosecution. When an amended charge was read to the defendants on Monday, they pleaded not guilty. They were earlier arraigned on May 3, 2019 on a 12-count charge filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) to which they equally pleaded not guilty. After their re-...

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28Jun By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Lai Mohammed To Appear In Court Over N2.5bn NBC Fraud Case

Immediate past minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed has been scheduled to appear before a Federal High Court, Abuja, to explain his role in the alleged misapplication of N2.5 billion Federal Government Digital Switch-Over (DSO) programme. Mr Mohammed’s expected appearance was revealed by the Independent Corrupt Practice and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), who is prosecuting the director general of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Ishaq Kawu, over an alleged abuse of office and money laundering. ICPC had filed a 12-count charge before Justice Folashade Ogunbanjo-Giwa, against Kawu, Lucky Omoluwa and Dipo Onifade, the chairman and chief operating officer of Pinnacle Communications Limited respectively, saying that the NBC director general misled th...

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27Jun By dthataNo Comments

Politics

N2.5bn DSO Project: Lai Mohammed Fails To Appear In Court

A former Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Wednesday, failed to appear before Justice Folashade Giwa of the Federal High Court Abuja, to explain his role in the alleged approval of N2.5billion to Pinnacle Communications Ltd. The money was for the purpose of the Federal Government Digital Switch Over (DSO) project. The sitting was in continuation of the trial of the Director-General of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Ishaq Modibbo, Pinnacle Communications Ltd and two others. Mohammed was listed by the ICPC prosecution counsel, Henry Emore, as additional witness to give testimony on the approval of payment of N2.5 billion to Pinnacle. However, after calling two witnesses, the prosecution counsel informed the court that the immediate past Information Minister ...

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12Jun By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Obasanjo Accuses Buhari Of Corruption, Says He Tampered With EFCC And ICPC

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has accused President Buhari of corruption and tampering with the operations of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC. In the interview with Premium Times, Obasanjo accused of President Buhari of corruption and tampering with the operations of ICPC and EFCC who are no longer independent under his government. The 82-year-old former President said, "I set up two institutions. I came with two laws that were not there before, to fight corruption. And those who claim they are fighting corruption today have not brought in anything different. If anything, they have corrupted those two institutions. And the institutions were open and independent. I never, never, as president had to say ...

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1Jun By BobbyNo Comments

News

Former ICPC Board Nominee Jailed 12 Years

A former chairman of the Governing Council of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, who in 2017 was nominated to serve on the board of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Dr Saad Alanamu, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for accepting a bribe. A statement from the ICPC spokesperson, Rasheedat Okoduwa, said the Chief Executive Director of Namylas Nig. Ltd, Salman Sulaiman, was also sentenced to 12 years in prison for a similar offence. The statement added that Alanamu was not considered for the ICPC board position because of allegation of corruption which the commission was investigating at the time. He was charged to court by the commission for collecting N5m kickback from Sulaiman who is a contractor and his friend. The statement said, “The con...

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19May By BobbyNo Comments

News

Why it is Difficult to Arrest Vote Buyers – ICPC

Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, the Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), says checking vote buying is a daunting task due to the large number of people involved in the act. Owasanoye stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in New York. According to him, vote buying was so rampant and widespread in the country that it was difficult to arrest and prosecute offenders. He suggested that more attention should rather be given to prevention through deployment of technologies and improvement in the country’s voting infrastructure. “When something is rampant like this, you can hardly eradicate it by enforcement measures alone. “Take for example a situation where a whol...

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17Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Lai Mohammed Approved N2.5 Billion ‘Fraudulent’ Payment, But Claims Ignorance – PT

Lai Mohammed, Nigeria’s information minister, has admitted he did not do due diligence before signing off on a controversial N2.5 billion payment to a private digital broadcast signal distributor. Mr Mohammed told the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) that he only approved the payment based on the recommendation of the director-general of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) in May 2017, according to those familiar with the investigation. Anti-graft detectives at the ICPC have been investigating the transaction since June 2018. Already the ICPC has charged Modibbo Kawu, the DG of NBC, for allegedly deceiving Mr Mohammed to perpetrate the fraud. Mr Kawu strongly denied the allegations, and the ICPC said he would appear in court on ...

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16Apr By dthataNo Comments

Crime

ICPC: Daniel Obah Loses Properties Worth N124.5 Million To FG

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, sitting in Zuba, has ordered the final forfeiture of properties worth N124.5 million illegally acquired by a Principal Accountant in the Finance and Accounts Department of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Daniel Obah, to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Mr. Obah, who was charged before Justice E. O. Ebong, by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), was accused of fraudulently acquiring a four-bedroom duplex in Abuja and plots of land in Rivers State. Counsel to ICPC, John-Paul Okwor, told the court that the Commission was relying on Section 48 (2) (3) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, which gives it the power to obtain a ruling of forfeiture seized assets acquired b...

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10Apr By dthataNo Comments

News

N2.5bn Scam Puts FG On Edge As Minister Cancels Gotv Licence

The N2.5 billion scandal rocking the seat of power recently took a turn for the worse as the power play involved has now put the presidency on edge as it is taking stock of what went wrong in President Muhammadu Buhari’s first tenure. Now, that scandal which involves the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) appears to have pitched the parastatal’s Director-General, Modibbo Ishaq Kawu, and his backers in the presidency against the Information Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. The relationship between the minister and Modibbo Ishaq Kawu soured considerably when the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) investigated the N2.5 billion scandal. After months of dilly-dallying, the ICPC swung into action last month and attempted to arraign the man b...

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9Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Corruption In Executive Far More Than Legislature, Judiciary Combined, Says ICPC

The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, has said corruption in the executive is far more than that of the legislature and judiciary combined. He said this was because the executive spends a far bigger chunk of the money appropriated. The anti-corruption agency boss also said that the public perception of the National Assembly members as being corrupt would not go away until the legislature throw open its yearly budget to the public. The Spokesperson for the Commission, Mrs. Rasheedat A. Okoduwa, quoted Professor Owasanoye as stating this during a lecture at the 9th National Assembly induction programme for new legislators, in Abuja. In the lecture titled ‘’The Legislature and Fight against Gra...

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2Apr By BobbyNo Comments

News

ICPC vows to deal with politicians, contractors who divert funds for constituency projects

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) says it will prosecute politicians and contractors who diverted funds for Constituency Projects across the country. Chairman of the commission, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye made this known on Tuesday at the launch of ”Constituency Projects Tracking Group” in Abuja. He said that the commission would pursue such contractors to either complete the projects, return the funds or face prosecution, NAN reports. “Affected companies and their directors will also be prosecuted. We also hope to publish the names of those behind the project failures for possible social sanctions in their communities.’’ He said that in order to ensure that there was value for money, the commission launched a partnership with the Nigeri...

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14Mar By BobbyNo Comments

News

ICPC Moves to Seize Properties Worth N264m From 3 Civil Servants Working in Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has moved to seize plots of land and duplexes which values have been put at over N264 million from three civil servants working in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. The properties, which are owned by Poloma Kabiru Nuhu, Mangset Longyl Dickson and Daniel Obah, currently under investigation by the Commission include 19 plots of land, 10 hectares of farm land and two duplexes, spread around Abuja and three towns in Rivers State. The 10 hectares of farm land located in Kuje, Abuja, was allegedly acquired through corrupt acts by Nuhu, a Principal Accountant with the ministry. The move to seize the properties follows an investigation by the Commission of the assets of Nuhu, Dickson and Obah, all st...

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24Jan By dthataNo Comments

Uncategorized

ICPC Should Investigate Lai Mohammed Over N2.5 Billion Nbc Fraud – PDP

Below is a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbodiyan, made available to PoliticsNGR calling on the ICPC to investigate Information Minister, Lai Mohammed for an alleged N2.5 Billion Fraud; "The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) charges the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to go beyond the Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Is’haq Kawu Modibbo and institute a system-wide investigation into the N2.5 billion NBC scandal. The PDP particularly demands an open investigation into the alleged roles possibly played by certain top officials of the Buhari Presidency, including the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, around the matter. The party says ICPC’s unc...

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27Nov By dthataNo Comments

Crime

Ganduje Makes U-Turn, Denies Donating N10m To EFCC, ICPC

Hours after announcing the donation of N10 million to the upcoming National Anti-corruption Marathon tournament, the Kano State government has denied the report. Recall that the state government, in a statement, had announced the donation of N10 million to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, and Athletic Federation of Nigeria, AFN, who are the organizers of the anti-corruption marathon tournament. However, in another statement by Aminu Yassar, the Director-General, Media and Publicity to the governor at the wee hours of Tuesday, the governor denied the report, saying that the money was donated to the Fair Play Sports International Agency, who, according to him, is the organizer of the tournament. The governor, ther...

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16Nov By dthataNo Comments

Crime

ICPC Arraigns Kebbi NSCDC Official For Certificate Forgery

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has said a principal inspector with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Hassa Manga, has been brought before Justice Abbas Ahman of the Kebbi State High Court 3, sitting in Birnin Kebbi, on two counts of certificate forgery. The ICPC said in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Mrs Rasheedat Okoduwa, that Manga, who is serving in the Niger State Command of the NSCDC, was accused of procuring and presenting a forged Nigeria Certificate in Education with lower credit from the Adamu Augie College of Education, Kebbi State, using the document to secure employment with the NSCDC in 2004. The commission stated that Manga’s luck ran out in 2016 when the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, upon s...

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1Nov By BobbyNo Comments

News

It will be Difficult to Defeat Kwara PDP, Says APC Leader

Ahmed Mustapha Akanbi Son of the former Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences(ICPC), Late Mustapha Akanbi (rtd), Ahmed Mustapha Akanbi, wednesday said the task of All Progressives Congress(APC) in Kwara State to defeat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the next year general election will not be a tea party affairs. He therefore urged party members and stakeholders of the APC to be more united and focused in order to assist the party to win the elections in the state. Mustapha, an APC leader and former governorship aspirant of the party in the state, disclosed this in Ilorin yesterday in his lecture delivered at the first summit of APC stakeholders’ forum with the theme: ‘Imperatives of Unity and Party Loyalty Towards Good Governance in Kwara St...

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25Sep By BobbyNo Comments

News

Fraud: Mike Ezuruonye’s Impersonator, 6 Others Jailed

It was havest of convictions for the Benin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, today, September 24, 2018 as seven persons who were arraigned on separate count charge for different offences were convicted and sentenced to various jail term by the Federal High Court sitting in Benin City, Edo State. One of the convict, Ekoh Noel was arraigned on a one count charge of obtaining by false pretence. He was said to have impersonated and represented himself as Mike Ezuruonye, a popular Nollywood Star on Facebook to defraud his victims. *Mike Upon his arraignment, the convict pleaded guilty to the charge and was consequently sentenced and convicted by Justice P. I. Ajoku. Man, 34, assaults ex-wife, gets N100, 000 bail The count read: That you Ekoh Noel...

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19Aug By dthataNo Comments

Education

OAU Sex-For-Mark Victim: I Can’t Get Justice From ICPC; They Think I’m Psychotic – Monica Osagie

Monica Osagie, the graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University, who leaked the alleged audio conversation between her and Professor Richard Akindele in February, tells SUNDAY ABORISADE that her life has been miserable since she exposed the sex-for-mark scandal Are you still in good terms with your boyfriend after the scandal? Yes, because I told him everything from the beginning to the end. How are your parents handling the issue presently? It took a while before my dad got to know about it. He found out the day my face was published on the front page of The Punch Newspapers. So, he asked me what happened and I told him the truth. Did your family support your decision or reprimand you for taking such action? My dad supported my action but my aunts were of the opinion tha...

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