Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports
A former military leader is charged with stealing N4 billion from the military budget and transferring the money into the accounts of two businesses where he is the only signer and the beneficial owner.
This was disclosed on Friday by Bolaji Owasanoye, the chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Owasanoye addressed at a meeting titled “National Policy Dialogue on Corruption and Insecurity in Nigeria” that took place at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja.
Owasanoye claims that the former military leader bought houses in Abuja with the stolen money.
He pointed out that the homes had been purchased using the identities of the military chief’s friends and proxies.
Owasanoye added that the former military officer used some of the properties purchased with funds from his service.
He said that a High Court judge who just retired had thwarted the ICPC’s efforts to prosecute the former military commander and seize all of his assets.
Owasanoye asserted that the judge left the suspect with the remaining funds after forfeiting part to FGN.
Although the commission has submitted a notice of appeal, he claimed that this peculiar development worsens an already troubling situation and increases impunity.
He bemoaned the fact that corruption is a factor in the nation’s security.
