ICPC detains 4 former Kogi commissioners over alleged N10 billion fraud

FOUR former Commissioners, under the immediate past administration of Governor Idris Ichalla Wada of Kogi State, on Thursday, arrested and were being detained by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on the allegations of misappropriation of N10 billion government funds and abuse of office.

The ex-commissioners were Culture and Tourism, Kayode Olowomoran; Transport, Abdulrahman Wuya; as well as Works, Onama Godwin and Budget and Planning, Ali Ajuh.

They were all arrested after ICPC commenced investigations into allegations that the suspects, acting in connivance with the former governor, former Accountant-General, Ibrahim Idakwo and a former Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Commerce, Frank Onoja, had obtained a N2 billion Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria on behalf of the state which was misapplied.

Investigations further revealed that the suspects allegedly partook in the mismanagement of another N8 billion bond that was raised to fund 57 projects across the state. 

The large sums of monies released for the projects, according to the findings, were allegedly far beyond the levels of work done.

Furthermore, the suspects are alleged to have benefitted from illegal deductions to the tune of N1.3 billion made from the funds of 21 local government councils of the state by the same administration.

While investigations continue, it was further learnt that the suspects would remain in custody until they fulfill the administrative bail conditions granted them by the commission.