Operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have apprehended about five senior officials from the Department of Farm Inputs Support Services in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The officials were allegedly involved in the diversion of funds.
The arrest, conducted through a sting operation at their office in Abuja, caused a stir among staff members and other parastatals within the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The ICPC reportedly detained four of the officials for five days before their eventual release, with the director among them released due to health concerns.
The investigation is centered on the alleged diversion of funds earmarked for monitoring exercises and sensitization programs. This diversion has reportedly hindered the effective monitoring and evaluation of farm inputs.
During the investigation, it was revealed that substantial sums of money were found in the bank accounts of the suspects, with one official’s account containing over N200 million and another official’s child having over N100 million. Additionally, around N250 million in cash was discovered at the residence of one of the suspects.
The ICPC investigators found an inflow of over N60 million within six months into the bank account of one of the suspects. As part of their actions, the ICPC has seized properties, including a bakery and a herbal hospital, belonging to the suspects.
The ICPC spokesperson, Azuka Ogugua, declined to provide further updates on the ongoing investigation, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to avoiding media trials and disclosing information before the case goes to court.