ICPC
ICPC probes
ICPC
ICPC probes DG NBC, Others over N2.5bn Digital
Switch-Over Fraud
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences
Commission (ICPC) is investigating the Nigerian Broadcasting
Corporation (NBC) over the misapplication of N2.5 billion seed
grant released to the agency by the federal government for its
digital switch-over programme.
The Commission has so far quizzed the Director General,
Dr. Ishaq Moddibbo Kawu, and other top management staff of the
agency over their alleged involvements in the misapplication of the
fund.
The Presidency had in 2016, released N10 billion to the Ministry
of Information and Culture for the digital switch-over programme
which entails migration of telephone lines from analogue to digital
platforms and a White Paper was issued directing that the process
be specifically handled by government-affiliated companies.
Based on the guidelines provided by the White Paper, two
companies were nominated to handle the process, one of which was
ITS, an affiliate of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). N1.7
billion was released to it as seed grant for the commencement of
the switch-over.
However, ICPC through investigation discovered that the process
was fraught with alleged corrupt practices.
It was alleged that Dr. Kawu fraudulently recommended a private
company called Pinnacle Communications Limited, to the Minister of
Information and Culture, for the release of N2.5 billion against
the guidelines contained in the White Paper.
The N2.5 billion was paid into the Zenith Bank account of
Pinnacle Communications Limited in May/June, 2017 for the
programme.
The DG NBC during interactions with the Commission could not
justify why the government White Paper was flouted leading to the
release of money to an unqualified company.
However, the Managing Director of Pinnacle, Mr. Dipo Onifade,
during interrogation confirmed the release of the funds to the
company. He could not justify that the money was used for the
purpose of digital switch-over.
The Commission through investigation discovered several
suspicious transfers of large sums of funds from the account of the
company into the bank accounts of several organisations and
individuals.
It found out that N100 million of the fund was paid into the
personal bank account of Mr. Onifade in Zenith Bank which he
claimed was for legal services that he had rendered to the same
Pinnacle Communications where he is employed.
Also investigation revealed that another N450 million was
transferred into the account of Sabdat Investment Limited, a Bureau
de Change, which then converted the money into dollars and handed
it over to the Chairman of Pinnacle Communications Limited, Mr.
Lucky Omoluwa, in his Kaduna residence as he usually did with other
funds.
Omoluwa had repeatedly failed to honour invitations from the
Commission to come and explain his role in the alleged fraud.
He had also sought the leave of the Federal High Court, Abuja,
to stop the investigation as well as unfreeze the Zenith Bank
account of the company that was frozen by ICPC, but was however
ordered by the same court to appear before ICPC for interrogation
before the next adjourned date of 3rd December, 2018 before his
case would be heard.
In compliance with the court order, Mr. Omoluwa has appeared
before the Commission where he made useful statements to
investigators.
Signed: Mrs. Rasheedat A. Okoduwa, mni
Spokesperson for the Commission