2 fake ICPC operatives arrested in Lagos

Dapo Falade, Ado-Ekiti - 29.02.2008

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested two men who had been parading themselves as operatives of the commission at the Apapa Wharf, in Lagos.

A statement signed by the Head of Public Enligtenment Department of the ICPC, Mr. Mike Sowe, said the suspects, Festus E. Ukwu and Reggie Merenini, were arrested by operatives of the commission after they had been identified as fake ICPC personnel.

They were alleged to have been extorting money from unsuspecting members of the public by pretending to be ICPC personnel posted on special duties to the Wharf with the aid of fake ICPC identity cards.

However, luck ran out on Ukwu and Merenini when they decided to extort money from one Mr. Rowland Uwie, a freight forwarding agent at the Wharf.

They allegedly demanded for N200,000 with a view to helping him bury a case. Sequel to this, a call was put across to an officer of the commission, who then organised the arrest of the suspects.

According to the statement, upon interrogation, the suspects claimed to be members of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) of the Central Working Committee of the Freight Forwarders (CWCFF) in Apapa Port.

Investigation, however, showed that the suspects were agents of some clearing agents of the port, and not members of ACTU as claimed. They only used the the name of ICPC as cover to extort money from members of the public.

The suspect will soon be arraigned in violation of the relevant provisions of the ICPC Act and the Penal Code.