ICPC arrests 4 ex- commissioners in Kogi State over N11.3bn fraud

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has arrested four commissioners who served during the administration of former Governor of Kogi State , Captain Idris Wada (rtd) over alleged fraud totaling about N11.3Billion .

ICPC Spokesperson, Mrs . Rasheedat Okoduwa , disclosed in a statement on Thursday that the four suspects are currently been detained by the commission pending their administrative bail.

Okoduwa identified the ex-commissioners as Kayode Olowomoran ( Culture and Tourism ) , Abdulrahman Wuya ( Transport ); Godwin Onama ( Works ) and Ali Ajuh ( Budget and Planning) .

She said the suspects ’ arrest followed ICPC’s investigations into an alleged misapplication of a N 2 bn SME loan they secured from the Central Bank of Nigeria on behalf of the state .

According to her , they acted in connivance with the former governor Wada, his Accountant -General , Ibrahim Idakwo; and a former Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Commerce , Frank Onoja . The commission was silence over the fate of these persons accused of connivance.

“Preliminary investigations by the Commission also revealed that the suspects allegedly took part in the mismanagement of another N8 bn bond that was raised to fund 57 projects across the state .

“The large sums of monies released for the projects were allegedly far beyond the levels of work done .

“Furthermore, the suspects are alleged to have benefited from illegal deductions to the tune of N1 .3 bn made from the funds of 21 local government councils in the state by the same administration ,” Okoduwa said.

The ICPC spokesperson said the suspects would remain in custody until they fulfill the administrative bail conditions granted them by the Commission , while investigations continue .

Andrew Orolua, Abuja.