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By Abiodun OBA
Mr Christopher Oluchukwu, a commandant with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, has been convicted over his involvement in an employment scam.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, spokesperson, Demola Bakare, disclosed in a statement on Thursday.
He noted that in the case filed by the ICPC at the Katsina State High Court 3, the convict was accused of receiving the sum of N200,000:00, N300,000:00 and N400,000:00 respectively from three individuals under the pretext of securing jobs for their children with the NSCDC.
Bakare said, “The victims had reported the matter to ICPC after the convict failed to procure the said job and refused to refund their money.
“During the course of the trial, counsel to ICPC, Ibrahim Garba had in a nine-counts charge told the court how the action of the convict negates Sections 8,10 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.”
One of the counts read, “That you Christopher Oluchukwu Ugwubujo on or about 25th and 28th day of November 2014 within the jurisdiction of this Court while being a public officer with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) conferred corrupt advantage upon yourself by obtaining a total sum of four hundred thousand naira (N400, 000. 00) from one…for a job placement for her daughter into NSCDC and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.”
In his ruling on Tuesday, Justice Abbas Bawale found Mr Oluchukwu guilty on all 9 counts and sentenced him to 5 years imprisonment without the option of a fine.
Similarly, the trial judge pronounced that the sentences were to run concurrently.
He also held that even though the defendant was at large (he jumped bail), his sureties should be arrested and kept in custody for further investigation.
Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is probing 10 senior officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps over alleged N7.5billion fraud.
The NSCDC Commandant General, Ahmed Audi, was also indicted in the probe involving the senior officers and contractors working with him.
The EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, had on April 26, 2024, written a letter to the NSCDC CG, Audi, inviting the 10 indicted NSCDC officers for questioning.
According to a document exclusively obtained by our correspondent, the officers involved were scheduled to be questioned by the EFCC from May 2, 2024, and beyond.
The 10 indicted NSCDC officers are – Victor Olanrewaju Fayemi, Anthony Akpan Uwen, Patrick Babatunde, Comfort Danladi, Akibi Michael Olusola, Umaru Usman Karshi, Adewale Kukoyi, Joseph Ajayi Ibitulo, and Mrs A.A Jonathan, Paul Ahepa, the EFCC invitation revealed.
The N7.5bn fraud was linked to several contractors and the monies were traced to some Bureau de Change operators through whom the senior NSCDC officers allegedly laundered the money.
Impeccable sources privy to the development but were not authorised to speak due to the sensitive nature of the matter, disclosed the development to our correspondent.
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