ICPC Interrogates Agric Ministry Officials Over Massive Fraud Running Into Millions of Naira, Fear Grips Staff

By Akeem Oduyoye

Operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission(ICPC)has arrested five senior officials in the Department of Farm Inputs Supports Services of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development over alleged diversion of funds running into millions of naira,

They were said to have been arrested around 9 am on Thursday,in a sting operation which lasted for about one hour in their office at the 5th Floor, Bank of Agriculture Building, Central Business District in Garki, Abuja, Nigeria’s capital

According to Punch online report, the ICPC detained four of the officials for five days before they were later released. The director among them was said to have been released on health grounds.

According to the medium, the arrest has created tension among the staff of FISS and other parastatals in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The medium the investigation was connected with the diversion of funds meant for monitoring exercise and sensitisation programmes, just as it also added that situation was said to have hampered the monitoring and evaluation of farm inputs.

According to the medium.  over N200m was found in the bank account of one of the officials being grilled, while over N100m was found in the bank account of one of his children.

Also, over N250m cash was found in the Abuja house of one of the suspects.

Investigation by the ICPC  detectives revealed an inflow of over N60m in six months into the bank account of one of the suspects.

The ICPC has also seized landed properties, including a bakery and one herbal hospital.

When contacted, the spokesperson for ICPC, Azuka Ogugua, said the investigation was still on.

 “We don’t give updates on our cases to journalists. We don’t do media trials, that was why I didn’t respond (to your several enquiries. How do you now expect me to start disclosing to you? It doesn’t make sense. I can’t tell you; that is wrong, it’s unethical. How can I be telling you the outcome of our investigation?, ” Ogugua said.

Source: Punch online