ICPC arraigns civil servant over alleged $140,000 property, N162m fraud

A director in the Federal Ministry of Education, Victor
Igboanugo, has been arrested by the Independent Corrupt Practices
and Other Related Offences Commission allegedly for purchasing a
property worth $140,000 in the United States and also for taking
kickbacks worth millions of naira.

During his arraignment before Justice V.B. Ashi of the Federal
Capital Territory High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja, by the
Commission, Igboanugo was accused of using his office and position
to also commit fraud worth N162m.

ICPC told the court that the accused, while acting as a Deputy
Director of Procurement at the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs,
bought the property in the U.S., noting that the cost of the
property was above Igboanugo’s legitimate income.

ICPC in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Rasheedat
Okoduwa, said, “The accused is being arraigned for alleged contract
frauds to the tune of N162m and ownership of property valued way
above his legitimate income.

“Mr. Igboanugo, who had worked at various times in the
Ministries of Environment and Niger Delta Affairs, is facing 17
counts before Justice Ashi of the Federal Capital Territory High
Court 23, Apo, Abuja.”

After pleading not guilty to the counts, the defence counsel put
in their application for bail, which was not opposed by the ICPC
counsel.

The application was granted by Justice Ashi in the sum of N2m
with one surety in like sum who must be an officer not below Grade
Level 14 in the Federal Civil Service.

The case was adjourned to June 19, 2019 for trial.