ICPC arraigns NSCDC officer over ‘N12.2m employment fraud’

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it has arraigned Solomon Ogodo, identified as a public officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), over alleged employment fraud.

In a statement on Thursday, the ICPC said Ogodo was arraigned on a five-count charge bordering on alleged N12.2 million fraud.

The NSCDC officer was alleged to have defrauded members of public under the guise of securing employment for persons interested in working in the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).

Ogodo was arraigned before M.S. Idris, justice of the federal capital territory (FCT) high court sitting in Jabi, Abuja.

“In the 5-count charge, the Commission told the Court that the accused person 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 Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS),” the statement reads.

“The Court was further informed of how Mr Ogodo, intending to commit fraud, forged offers of provisional appointments for some applicants into the Nigerian Correctional Service.

“His 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.

“The actions also violate and are punishable under Section 1 of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offence Act of 2006.

“The defendant entered a ‘not guilty’ plea when the charges were read to him.”

Osita Eze, counsel to the defendant, moved a bail application on behalf of his client.

Mashkur Salisu, ICPC counsel, asked the court to impose stringent conditions that will compel the defendant to attend his trial.

The judge, subsequently, granted Ogodo bail in the sum of N5 million and two sureties in like sum who must be residents of FCT and civil servants not below grade level 12. 

The judge also said the sureties should swear an affidavit of means, failure of which the defendant would be remanded in ICPC custody.

The case was adjourned till January 16, 2023, for hearing.