ICPC arraigns director for N162m farud, abuse of office

A director in the Federal Ministry of Education has been arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for alleged contract frauds  to the tune of N162m, and ownership of property valued way above his legitimate income.

Victor Igboanugo, who had worked at various times in the Ministries of Environment and Niger Delta Affairs is facing a 17-count charge before Justice V.B. Ashi of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court 23, Apo, Abuja.

The charge, which borders on abuse of office and conferring undue advantage upon himself, amongst others, contravenes sections 10, 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under the same sections.

ICPC counsel, Henry Emore, told the court that Mr. Igboanugo, while being the Secretary of the Ministerial Tenders’ Board at the Ministry of Environment, facilitated the award of multiple contracts to private companies where he held personal interests.

The court also heard that the accused, while acting as a Deputy Director of Procurement at the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, bought a property in the United States of America for $140, 000, a sum way above his legitimate income.

Igboanuogo was further accused of receiving N20 million kickbacks through one of his companies, Phinavic Ventures Ltd, from the Chief Executive Officer of Lufem Engineering Ltd, Mr. Asiwaju Adekanbi Femi, after the award of contract for the construction of a skill acquisition centre.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the 17-count charge leveled against him, and the defence counsel put in their application for bail which was not opposed by the prosecution.

Justice Ashi, granted the accused bail in the sum of N2 million with one surety in like sum who must be an officer not below Grade Level 14 in the Federal Civil Service. He also ordered the accused to submit his international passport to the court registrar.

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