The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has secured the conviction of a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Commandant, Christopher Oluchukwu, for defrauding individuals seeking employment for their children.
According to The PUNCH, Oluchukwu was found guilty on all nine counts filed against him at Katsina State High Court 3 for collecting a total of N900,000 from three individuals under false pretenses of securing jobs within the NSCDC.
The ICPC statement revealed that the victims reported the matter after Oluchukwu failed to procure the said jobs and refused to refund their money.
The statement partly read, “In the case filed by ICPC at the Katsina State High Court 3, the convict was accused of receiving the sum of N200,000:00, N300,000:00 and N400,000:00 respectively, from three individuals under the pretext of securing jobs for their children with the NSCDC.
“The victims had reported the matter to ICPC after the convict failed to procure the said job and refused to refund their money.”
During the trial, ICPC counsel, Ibrahim Garba, presented a 9-count charge, highlighting how Oluchukwu’s actions violated Sections 8, 10, and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.
One of the counts read, “That you Christopher Oluchukwu Ugwubujo on or about 25th and 28th day of November 2014 within the jurisdiction of this Court while being a public officer with the NSCDC conferred a corrupt advantage upon yourself by obtaining a total sum of four hundred thousand naira (N400, 000. 00) from one for a job placement for her daughter into NSCDC and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.”
Justice Abbas Bawale sentenced Oluchukwu to five years imprisonment without the option of fine, with the sentences to run concurrently.
The judge also ordered the arrest and investigation of Oluchukwu’s sureties, who had failed to produce him in court.
This conviction comes after a similar case in January, where the Nigeria Customs Service arrested Abdul-Rahman Ibrahim for impersonating high-ranking government officials and extorting over N1 million from citizens for fake job appointment letters.
