ICPC Arrests Agric Ministry Officials Over Alleged Fraud
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested and interrogated about five senior officials in the Department of Farm Inputs Supports Services (FISS) of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development over the alleged diversion of funds meant for monitoring and evaluation of farm inputs.
The officials were arrested on Thursday in a sting operation at their office in Abuja. Four of them were detained for five days, while the director was released on health grounds. The arrest has created tension among the staff of FISS and other parastatals in the ministry.
According to sources, the ICPC found over N200 million in the bank account of one of the suspects, while over N100 million was found in the bank account of one of his children. Also, over N250 million cash was found in the Abuja house of another suspect. The ICPC also seized landed properties, including a bakery and a herbal hospital.
The spokesperson for ICPC, Azuka Ogugua, said the investigation was still ongoing and declined to give further details. She said the case would be made public when it goes to court.
