ICPC arrests FG official over corruption

Dele Adesanmi, Lagos - 05.03.2008

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested a deputy director in the office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), Mr. Henry Ogundiya, for using his position to confer corrupt and undue advantage on himself, contrary to Section 9 of the ICPC ACT 2000.

The suspect allegedly committed the offence when he awarded a contract for the rehabilitation of rural feeder roads at the cost of N22,343,939 to a company in which he had substantial interest when he acted as Director of Administration in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

According to a release by the ICPC’s Head of Public Enlightenment, Mr. Mike Sowe, Ogundiya’s arrest followed a petition by one of the ministry’s contractors who he had assured would be awarded the contract on a 60/40 proceed sharing ratio only to renege by awarding it to his own company.

Ogundiya was said to have already collected 25 per cent mobilisation payment for the job amounting to over N5 million through a cheque written in his name and paid into his bank account.

The suspect is now in the custody of the commission and would be arraigned on completion of investigation on the matter.