ICPC arraigns Civil Defence official over N12.2m employment scam

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned a Superintendent of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Solomon Ogodo, before the High Court, sitting in Jabi, Abuja, over allegations bordering on forgery, employment racketeering, and fraud.

The ICPC, in charge no CR/503/2022 before Justice M.S. Idris, accused the NSCDC official of defrauding unsuspecting job seekers of N12.2 million

In the five-count charge, the commission told the court on Thursday that Ogodo on different occasions hoodwinked members of the public into parting with different sums of money in the guise of securing employment for their relatives in the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS).

It further told the court that Ogodo, with the intent to commit fraud, forged offers of provisional appointments for some applicants into the NCoS.

The ICPC noted that the defendant’s actions are contrary to Section 13 and punishable under Section 68 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, and contrary to Section 363 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Act, adding that his actions also violate and is punishable under Section 1 of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offence Act of 2006.

The defendant, however, pleaded “not guilty” when the charges were read to him.

The defense counsel, Osita Eze, thereafter moved a bail application on behalf of his client which was not opposed by ICPC counsel, Mashkur Salisu.

Salisu, however, urged the court to impose stringent conditions that will compel the defendant to attend his trial, considering the fact that he only made himself available when he was declared wanted by the commission.

The presiding judge, Justice Idris, admitted the NSCDC official to bail in the sum of N5 million and two sureties in like sum who must be a resident of Abuja and a civil servant not below grade level 12.

The sureties were also ordered to swear affidavit of means, failure of which the defendant would be remanded in ICPC custody.

The judge, therefore, adjourned the matter to January 16, 2023, for definite hearing.

The Star

Segun Ojo