ICPC Begins Trial of Two Civil Servants Over Alleged N12 Million Job Racketeering

ICPC Begins Trial of Two Civil Servants Over Alleged N12 Million Job Racketeering

By Fly Cable News

The trial of two civil servants, Mrs. Joy Ndubuisi Chineme from the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment and Mr. Godwin Tabo Sakat from the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, has begun at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja. The duo is facing charges of job racketeering involving N12 million. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) initially arraigned them in July 2024 on nine counts.

At the trial’s start, ICPC’s Assistant Director Mrs. Adah Ojoma testified, revealing that an investigation, triggered by a petition in March 2022, uncovered over N12 million linked to Chineme’s bank account. The funds were transferred to her Zenith Bank account and to Sakat. Ojoma detailed transfers from 2018 to 2021, amounting to millions of naira. The investigation also found a fake employment letter.

Chineme’s defense counsel contested the voluntary nature of her statement, claiming it was made under duress, prompting a trial within a trial. The case was adjourned to March 25, 2025, for further proceedings.