ICPC interrogates Okiro over N275.5m fraud

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) interrogated Mike Okiro, former inspector-general of police and chairman, police service commission (PSC) on Thursday, over alleged N275.5 million fraud.

ICPC also interrogated George Todonu, Okiro’s Orderly; A.A Bisala, chief accountant of PSC; E.C Ibe; B. Bello and Raymond Imiobi, all staff of the commission.

They all reported at the ICPC headquarters in  Abuja.

Okiro arrived at the commission at about 9:51 am in a Black Toyota Land Cruiser four wheels drive with registration number T98 01FG (PSC).

A source at the ICPC headquarters, who preferred anonymity, said the invitation of Okiro and other staff of PSC followed a petition published in one of the national dailies.

He said the petition titled ‘Attempt to Swindle the Police Service Commission to the tune of N275.5 million’, was written by Aaron Kaase, a principal administrative officer at PSC.

The petitioner accused Okiro of diverting N350 million sought from the office of the national security adviser for staff training ahead of the 2015 general election to his personal use.

He said claims by Okiro that the training programmes were held in three separate lots for Abuja, Kano and Lagos staff of the commission were frivolous, adding that such trainings were never organised.

Kaase also faulted Okiro’s claims on the ground that the staff strength of the commission was less than 400 as against 900 said to have benefited from the training.

He also accused Okiro of making claims for journeys that were never embarked upon.