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Tag: ICPC News

  • BREAKING: ICPC Grills Enugu ECTDA Chairman Anya Over Alleged N417Million Fraud, Abuse Of Office

    The Executive Chairman of the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA), Rt. Hon. Eugene Uche Anya has been interrogated by operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over allegations of financial fraud and other misconduct.

    SaharaReporters gathered that this development is part of an ongoing investigation into alleged large-scale financial irregularities and abuse of office.

    Anya, who was appointed as ECTDA Chairman in August 2023 by Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, was detained by ICPC operatives on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. He was held between 10:49 a.m. and 5:37 a.m. on Thursday morning.

    Sources close to the investigation disclosed that Mr. Emike Ikechukwu, the Head of the Project and Physical Development Control Unit at ECTDA, is also under scrutiny.

    Anya appointed Mr. Ikechukwu to the position shortly after he assumed office, despite his not being a professional town planner and allegedly bypassing more senior staff members within the unit.

    According to financial records currently being reviewed by the ICPC, over N417 million was allegedly transferred from ECTDA’s account into Mr. Ikechukwu’s personal bank account. Of that amount, more than N210 million was later funnelled into the bank account of Eugenics Real Estate Ltd — a company owned and managed by Anya.

    Sources disclosed that an additional N270 million was transferred into Mr. Ikechukwu’s account from the ECTDA project account. He then allegedly transferred more than N160 million directly into Anya’s personal bank account with First Bank Plc.

    The ECTDA has faced controversy, including a June 2024 incident in which Enugu-based businessman Ihekwoaba Livingston Uzoho alleged that Governor Mbah’s administration, through the agency, planned to demolish his residence at No. 6 Ozubulu Street, Independence Layout, Enugu, to reallocate the property to Senator David Umahi, the current Minister of Works and former Governor of Ebonyi State.

    Uzoho, originally from Imo State, told journalists he had been living in the house with his family since purchasing it in 2007. He said the property had all necessary legal documentation, including a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) and a government-approved building plan. He also noted he had paid all required taxes without default since acquiring the home.

    According to Uzoho, trouble began in November 2023 when Minister Umahi reportedly visited the area with his aides, taking pictures and videos of the property and neighbouring plots, including one allegedly owned by Prof. Obumneme Ekwueme, a brother of the late former Vice President, Alex Ekwueme. Uzoho alleged that shortly after the visit, some residents claimed Umahi distributed N200,000 and stated intentions to take over the land.

    Just 24 hours later, Uzoho said ECTDA officials arrived and marked his house for demolition, giving him 24 hours to vacate the property.

    Fearing that the government might proceed with the demolition without further notice, he filed a lawsuit at the Enugu State High Court.

    © SaharaReporters

  • Trial of 2 Ministries’ Staff over 12 Million Job Racketeering Commences

    Trial of 2 Ministries’ Staff over 12 Million Job Racketeering Commences

    ABUJA – The trial of two ministries’ staff, Mrs Joy Ndubuisi Chineme, a staff member of the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, (first defendant) and one Mr Godwin Tabo Sakat of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, (second defendant) over alleged 12 million job racketeering has commenced in earnest before Justice C.O. Oba of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo, Abuja.

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had first arraigned the duo in a nine-count charge in July 2024.

    At the commencement of the trial on Monday, the prosecution counsel, Mr Suleiman Abdulkareem brought before the court, Mrs Adah Ojoma, an Assistant Director in ICPC and the first prosecution witness in the case.

    Mrs Ojoma told the court that a petition against the first defendant was received on 4th of March 2022 which led to an investigation by the Commission.

    According to her, in the course of the investigation, “The team first discovered the sum of Three Hundred Thousand naira in her (Mrs Chineme’s) bank account and different other amounts totalling over 12 million naira.”

    She transferred some of the money to her Zenith bank account and some to the second defendant (Mr Sakat).

    Giving a breakdown, Ojoma said sometime in 2018, the first defendant transferred the sum of 3.9 million naira into her Zenith Bank, while in 2019, over 5 million naira was transferred and then over 2.5 million naira in 2021. And that the sum of 4.3 million naira was transferred to the second defendant.

    She added that in the course of the investigation, a letter of employment that was fake was also discovered.

    She continued that, upon invitation to the Commission, the first defendant came and made her statement voluntarily.

    However, counsel to the first defendant, E. E. Oga opposed that the first defendant did not make her statement voluntarily but under duress and therefore prayed the court to allow for a trial within trial.

    Reacting, ICPC counsel, Mr. Abdulkareem said although the statement was not a confession, he was not opposed to the plea by his learned counsel.

    During the trial within trial, Mrs Ojoma told the court that the first defendant was invited by the Commission and that after legal procedures were explained to her, she called her husband at one time and her sister at another time to write the statement on her behalf as she could not write properly.

    Counsel to the first defendant however moved for an adjournment to enable him to bring the defense witness.

    The matter was thereafter adjourned till the 25th of March, 2025 for continuation of trial.

  • ICPC Arraigns Boundary Commission’s Director of Admin, One Other Staff for Forgery, Abuse of Office

    ICPC Arraigns Boundary Commission’s Director of Admin, One Other Staff for Forgery, Abuse of Office

    ABUJA – The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has arraigned in court, Mrs Aishatu Abdullahi, a Director of Administration and Supplies with the National Boundary Commission and Mrs Ghaji Rahila, an Assistant Chief Accountant of the same agency over allegations of forgery and abuse of office.

    The duo was arraigned on Tuesday before Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja.

    ICPC, in a five-count charge, accused the defendants of conspiring amongst themselves to allow the first defendant (Ghaji Rahila) to participate in the senior promotion exercise as well as her confirmation to the next rank of Chief Accountant (Level 14) at the National Boundary Commission while she was at the same time in the employment of Galaxy Backbone Limited.

    The Commission also accused the first defendant (Ghaji Rahila) of forging an admission letter from Carnegie Mellon University, Rwanda (that was purportedly addressed to her Husband, Suleiman Mishara) with the intention to support her application for leave of absence at the National Boundary Commission.

    Count 3 of the charge reads: “That you Ghaji Rahila (F) and Aishatu Abdullahi (F) sometime in 2021 or thereabout in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court as Assistant Chief Accountant and Director of Administration & Supplies of the National Boundary Commission respectively, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit an offence to wit: conferring unfair advantage when you allowed the said Ghaji Rahila to participate in the senior staff promotion exercise at the National Boundary Commission while she was at the same time in the employment of Galaxy Backbone LTD; and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 26(1)(c) and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act,2000.”

    They however pleaded not guilty when the 5-count charge was read to them.

    Counsel to ICPC, Fatimah Abdullahi Bardi, on the ground of “not guilty” pleas entered by the two defendants, applied to the court to give a date for the commencement of trial.

    Counsel to the first and second defendants, Akinyemi Aremu and Adebayo Eniwaye, respectfully moved applications for bail on behalf of their clients.

    Given the non-opposition to the bail application by the prosecution counsel and other grounds cited in the applications, the presiding judge granted the two accused persons’ bail with the conditions that they shall provide two sureties each who must be residents of Abuja, a civil servant on the rank of director in any federal parastatal with evidence of first employment and last promotion.

    The trial judge added that “such directors must sign letters of undertaking to produce the defendants in court throughout their trial and agreed to be put in prison upon failure to produce the first and second defendants in court.

    “The said defendants shall also deposit their travelling documents with the Registrar of the court. In the event that they (defendants) failed to meet these conditions, they should be remanded in Suleja Prison till the next adjourned date.” the judge ruled.

    The case was adjourned to 17th of March, 2025 for the commencement of the hearing

  • Retired Director Testifies in Forgery Trial Against Taiwo Stephen Ayodeji

    Retired Director Testifies in Forgery Trial Against Taiwo Stephen Ayodeji

    ABUJA – A retired Director in the Office of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Mrs. Mayen Gajere has testified for the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in the ongoing forgery trial of one Mr. Taiwo Stephen Ayodeji.

    ICPC, had in a charge number: CR/008 filed before Justice A.Y Shafa of the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Nyanya, accused Mr. Ayodeji of forging an employment letter of Federal Ministry of Power.

    He was also said to have obtained by false pretense, eleven months salaries, amounting to N760,705.44 (Seven Hundred and Sixty Thousand, Seven Hundred and Five Naira, Forty-Four Kobo) while being under the employment of the same ministry with the purported fake employment letter.

    At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, Mrs. Gajere, who was presented by ICPC as Prosecution Witness 3 testified before the court that the ICPC invited her to explain to the court the procedures for employment in government parastatals and Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) works.

    She drew the attention of the court to the processes involved in the appointment and recruitment process in the Federal Civil Service and the integration of civil servants into the IPPIS payment system.

    A second witness, Mr. Victor Okorafor, an officer of ICPC, who was tagged Prosecution Witness 4 (PW 4) equally testified against the defendant based on the investigation carried out on the matter.

    He said “The Commission wrote a letter of investigation activities to the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation asking the office to confirm status of the employment of the defendant and they responded via a letter dated 18th May 2022 confirming that the name of the defendant was on the IPPIS Platform though no document was found on his profile.

    “During investigation, when the defendant was interviewed concerning how he came about the employment letter, he mentioned one Mr. Williams Umude that was working with IPPIS.

    In addition to the allegations of forgery, the defendant is also being prosecuted by ICPC for giving a false statement to an investigation officer of the Commission which is an offence contrary to section 25(1)(a) and punishable under section 25(1)(b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

    After listening to the testimonies, Justice Shafa adjourned the matter to 24th of March, 2025 for adoption of no case submission.

    The defendant had been arraigned on 12th February 2024 and pleaded not guilty to all the counts preferred against him and was consequently granted bail by the court.

  • Suspended UNICAL Law Professor Denies Sexual Harassment Allegations, Claims Exoneration

    Suspended UNICAL Law Professor Denies Sexual Harassment Allegations, Claims Exoneration

    Abuja, Nigeria – Prof. Cyril Ndifon, the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), has denied allegations of sexual harassment brought against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

    During his defence in a Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, Ndifon claimed that the former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, and former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, had reviewed his case and concluded that he had “no case to answer.”

    Ndifon, alongside his lawyer Sunny Anyanwu, was re-arraigned on January 25, 2024, on four counts relating to alleged sexual harassment and obstruction of justice.

    The ICPC accused Ndifon of requesting indecent photographs from a female student while he was Dean of the Faculty of Law, UNICAL.

    In the amended charges filed on January 22, 2024, the ICPC also alleged that Anyanwu had attempted to intimidate a prosecution witness during the trial. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The case dates back to accusations of sexual harassment made by a female diploma student, identified as TKJ, who testified that Ndifon forced her to perform oral sex in exchange for assistance with admission to UNICAL. During cross-examination, however, TKJ admitted that the allegations of sexual assault had not been included in her original statement to the ICPC due to “shame” and “fear.”

    Additionally, an ICPC forensic analyst testified that nude photos, including those of TKJ, were found on Ndifon’s phone, and forensic analysis revealed WhatsApp chats, nude videos, and phone calls involving the student.

    Despite these testimonies, Prof. Ndifon maintained his innocence, stating that he had been exonerated in the past, including when a similar case in 2015 was dismissed by the police.

    He further claimed that the matter had been escalated by a Nigerian feminist group to the IGP, leading to his case being transferred to Abuja, where the investigation resumed.

    The trial continues, with the court allowing the defence to proceed.

  • How Fake Doctor Used His Best Friend Certificate to Secure Job in Ministry of Health

    How Fake Doctor Used His Best Friend Certificate to Secure Job in Ministry of Health

    Abuja, Nigeria – The fraudulent activities of one Mr Martins Ugwu, who impersonated and used the certificate of his ‘Best Friend’ to secure a job at the Federal Ministry of Health.

    Ugwu’s Impersonation journey came to an end when the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) arraigned him in the court, leading to his conviction.

    ICPC had, in February 2016, filed a 7-count charge before Justice Abubakar Idris Kutigi against Ugwu for making a false statement to the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, through which he secured employment in the Federal Ministry of Health in 2006.

    The Commission said the offence contravened Section 25 (1) (a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Act, 2000 and punishable under Section 25 (1) (b) of the same act.

    The Convict, according to the ICPC, also drew salaries and allowances of up to N17.2 million between 2006 and 2016 after working for about 10 years as a medical doctor at the Federal Ministry of Health with fake documents.

    Ugwu also used the fake documents to procure a staff identity card bearing the name of Dr George Daniel Davidson, apply for annual leave as well as a postgraduate training programme which would have conferred on him a Master’s degree in the Field of Epidemiology Practice.

    During the sentencing hearing on Tuesday at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Jabi, Counsel to the ICPC, Dr Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha, citing Section 319 and 321 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) urged the court to order the restitution of all money the culprit earned while he was parading himself as Dr David George with a stolen certificate.

    Delivering his judgement, Justice Kutigi stated that the issue of quack doctors has taken a new dimension and the sentencing of Ugwu would serve as a deterrent to others who might want to venture into the practice without necessary certifications.

    The Judge, therefore, sentenced the fake doctor to a jail term of 6 months (consecutively) on each of the 7 counts preferred against him by the ICPC.

    Justice Kutigi also ordered the restitution of the salaries and allowances paid to the convict while under the employment of the Federal Ministry of Health. He added that an additional one-year jail term should be served in case the convict failed to meet up with the restitution order.

  • Former Registrar of Benue School of Health Arraigned by ICPC Over N4.4 Million Admission Fraud

    Former Registrar of Benue School of Health Arraigned by ICPC Over N4.4 Million Admission Fraud

    Makurdi, October 22, 2024 — The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Mr Awuawe Terwase Clement, the former Registrar of the Benue School of Health Technology, Agasha, over alleged involvement in a N4.4 million admission racketeering scheme.

    Mr Terwase appeared before Justice Egbe Joshua Raphael at the Federal High Court 2, Makurdi, on Tuesday, facing accusations of illegally collecting and diverting a total of N4,476,500 from unsuspecting admission seekers. The ICPC charged that the funds were collected after the official closure of the sale of admission forms for the academic year, between 2018 and 2019.

    The defendant was charged with three counts, including using his position as Registrar to confer personal financial benefits by continuing to sell admission forms beyond the approved period. One of the charges reads: “That you, AWUAWE TERWASE CLEMENT (m) between 2018 and 2019… used your position to confer corrupt advantage upon yourself by collecting a total sum of N4,476,500… when you continued to sell admission forms… after the closure of sales for your personal use.”

    The ICPC also accused Mr Terwase of providing false information during the investigation, which violates Section 25(1)(a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act of 2000.

    Mr Terwase, however, pleaded not guilty to all charges when they were read to him in court.

    Following the defendant’s plea, his counsel, Mr Kelvin Iorzenda, applied for bail. The prosecution, represented by Mr T. S. Lorngee, did not oppose the bail request. Justice Raphael granted bail to Mr Terwase in the sum of N2 million, with one surety of equal value, who must be a public or civil servant. The surety is required to submit documentation, including a letter of first appointment, latest promotion, an identity card, and passport photographs, and swear an affidavit of means.

    The matter has been adjourned to December 12, 2024, for a hearing. Mr Terwase was able to meet the bail conditions before the close of business on Tuesday.

    The case underscores the ICPC’s ongoing efforts to tackle corruption in Nigeria’s public institutions, especially in the education sector.

  • ICPC hands over recovered transformer to Humanitarian Affairs Ministry

    ICPC hands over recovered transformer to Humanitarian Affairs Ministry

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has handed over a recovered 500KVA transformer to the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

    The transformer was received by the representative of the Permanent Secretary of the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry, the Director General Services, Mr Yakubu John, through his staff Agabus Datukum, at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja.

    The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Abel Enitan commended the Commission for their diligence and promised that the transformer would be used for the purpose for which it was procured.

    He explained that the contract for the supply of a 500KVA transformer was awarded in 2013 while the Ministry was part of the Women Affairs Ministry but was not supplied. The issue was reported to the ICPC and the commission investigated, recovered and handed the transformer to the Ministry.

    In his words, “The Contractor was reported to ICPC and the Commission investigated the matter and recovered the transformer.

    “I want to appreciate ICPC for a work well done and assured that this will be taken to the rehabilitation centre of the ministry where it is meant to be.”

    While handing over the transformer to the Ministry, the Branch Head, Proceeds of Crime Directorate ICPC, Mr Udofi Wilson, said the Commission handed over the transformer to the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry because the Commission has done all the documentary processes concerning the transformer.

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    The Head of Special Duties Department, ICPC, Mr Stephen Pimor also appreciated his team for the job well done and assured Nigerians that ICPC will always carry out its duties diligently no matter the time.

    An Investigator with ICPC in the Department of Special Duties, Mrs Mercy Zinas, also expressed her joy that the transformer has been recovered and handed over to the owner.

    Present at the event were top officials of the Ministry and ICPC.

  • UNICAL: Court dismisses Prof Ndifon’s motion

    UNICAL: Court dismisses Prof Ndifon’s motion

    A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, dismissed a motion filed by Prof. Cyril Ndifon challenging the qualification of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC’s lawyer, Osuobeni Akponimisingha to practice.

    Justice James Omotosho, in a ruling, held that the application and counter affidavit filed by parties in the controversy over the legal qualifications of Akponimisingha and defence counsel, Joe Agi, SAN, was not for the court to determine.

    According to Justice Omotosho, the Legal Practitioners’ Privilege Committee is the appropriate body to determine whether a lawyer is on its roll call.

    “It is clear that the committee can investigate such allegations upon a petition by any of the parties,” the judge said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ndifon, the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar (UNICAL), and his co-defendant, Sunny Anyanwu, had alleged that Akponimisingha was not qualified to practice as a lawyer.

    The duo, through their lawyer, Mr Agi, insisted that Akponimisingha’s name was allegedly not on the roll of Legal Practitioners in Nigeria pursuant to Section 2 of the Legal Practitioners Act.

    They argued that the four-count amended charge preferred against them by ICPC was incompetent as a result of the disputed identity of the anti-graft agency’s lawyer.

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    They said the development had robbed the court of its jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

    They, therefore, prayed the court to quash the charge against them.

    Akponimisingha, in his counter affidavit dated March 20, accused the suspended dean and his legal team of being jealous of his academic qualifications.

    The lawyer, who attached his Nigerian Bar Association NBA’s Practicing License document dated 2016 with the counter affidavit, said he graduated from law school.

    He said contrary to the defence argument, the appellation “Dr” added to his name was a result of an additional academic qualification acquired by him after he had been called to the Bar as a legal practitioner.

    He equally alleged that the names of the lead counsel to the defendants, Joe Agi, SAN and other senior advocates appearing with him in the criminal case, were not on the roll of Legal Practitioners in Nigeria with the appendage of “SAN.”

    He argued that the fact that the appellation “Dr” was added to his name did not make the amended charge liable to be struck out.

    Akponimisingha said he was duly called to the Nigerian Bar and had been licensed to practice law in the country.

    “That I know as a fact that justices presiding over cases in courts in Nigeria were called to the Bar only with their given names without the appellation ‘Hon. Justice.’

    “Therefore, the appellation ‘Hon. Justice’ added to their names by reason of their appointment as judges does not render their judgments invalid because their names do not appear on the roll call of Legal Practitioners as ‘Hon. Justices.’

    “The name Joe Odey Agi, SAN is not on the roll of Legal Practitioners in Nigeria. What exists on the roll is Agi Joseph Odey, year of call, 1985,” he said. (NAN)

  • Sexual Harassment: Court reserves ruling on motion to release Prof Ndifon’s phones

    Sexual Harassment: Court reserves ruling on motion to release Prof Ndifon’s phones

    The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has reserved a ruling on the motion asking for the court to release the telephones of Professor Cyril Ndifon to a purported National Computer Forensic Laboratory.

    Prof. Ndifon, a suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, UNICAL and Barrister Anyanwu are being tried by ICPC before Justice James Omotosho over alleged sexual misconduct and attempt to perverse the cause of justice contrary to sections 8, 18, and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and Section 182 of the Penal Code Cap. 532 Laws of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, 2006.

    At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, counsel to the two defendants, Mr Joe Agi SAN informed the court about the two motions the defendants/applicants filed before it.

    He held that given the nature of the motion dated and filed on the 15th of March, 2024, it should take precedence over the one filed on the 8th of March, 2024.

    The first motion filed on the 8th of March, 2024 hinged on the application for the release of the first defendant’s (Ndifon) phones to a purported National Computer Forensic Laboratory while the second motion, filed on the 15th of March, 2024 prayed that the amended charge against the defendants be dismissed on the ground that the prosecution counsel’s name “is not on the roll of legal practitioners in Nigeria”.

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    He said, “It is our submission that where the issue of jurisdiction is raised in any proceedings, it takes precedence over any other motion particularly when it has to do with the integrity of the profession and administration of justice. The motion of 15th of March, 2024 has become a life wire and the motion of 8th of March, 2024 is not useful particularly when there’s no counter affidavit.

    While responding, the counsel to the ICPC, Dr Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha told the court that the motion filed by the defendants/applicants on the 15th of March, 2024 was not ripe for hearing whether it has precedence or not on the one filed on 8th of March, 2024.

    “The prosecution was served with a motion dated 15th day of March 2024 on Friday at about 4:09 pm after the close of work. This motion is not ripe, whether it has precedence is immaterial because I have the right to respond to the served motion. We have reacted to the motion dated 8th of March, 2024 and the prosecution is willing and ready to take the argument on that Sir.”

    Justice J.K Omotosho, after listening to the arguments ruled that the motion on the 8th of March, 2024 would be heard first.

    While speaking on the application dated on file on the 8th day of March 2024, counsel to the defendants/applicants, Joe Agi, SAN informed that a counter affidavit on the motion had been received and a reply on the point of law had been filed. He therefore prayed that the affidavit filed by the defendants/applicants be granted.

    The prosecution on its part prayed the court to dismiss the application of the defendants saying “It is contained in our affidavit that the court cannot make orders in doubt as there is no such laboratory called National Computer Forensic Laboratory. The party asking the court to do a particular thing is under an obligation to guide the court so that the court would not give a ruling for the registry to take it there and there is no such laboratory.”

    The judge thereafter adjourned the trial to the 15th of April, 2024 for a ruling on the motion.