By Olawale Lamina
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC has said that the Ex-Naval Chief, Vice Admiral Jibrin Usman (Rtd.), and Brigadier-General Ishaya Bauka are still on its wanted list for their alleged involvement in a N3b fraud.
In a statement, the Commission debunked any claims that the amended charges by it had exonerated the duo of charges concerning embezzlement and abuse of office, describing such as fallacious and a figment of the imagination of the writers, which should be discontinuance.
ICPC, according to the statement issued by its Director, Public Enlightenment/Education and Spokesperson, Mr. Demola Bakare, argued that there is a subsisting arrest warrant against the two ex-military officers and whoever sees them could assist in bringing them to justice.
The statement read in part: ” For the avoidance of doubt, the charges against them were only amended not withdrawn.
“ICPC does not clear anybody of a case already in court. It is a normal practice for prosecuting agencies to amend charges and proceed against the available defendants in a case pending when those at large or on court bench warrants would be arrested.
“When those at large or court bench warrants are arrested, they would be added to manifest the initial charge,”
It should also be recalled that the ex-Naval chief in particular was charged along with five others in the original charge dated and filed on the 17th day of April, 2023.
The charges were served on the Defendants by substituted means through their lawyers, yet they failed to submit themselves to the jurisdiction of the Court for arraignment.
The Commission informed that, prompted by the Defendants’ refusal to come to court for their arraignment, the Commission sought and obtained a bench warrant from the trial court for their arrest, adding that on the 4th day of February 2025, Mr. Adam Imam Yusuf, the 2nd Defendant in the original charge was arrested in his home in Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT, Abuja, leaving the two ex-military generals yet to be arrested.
The Commission stressed that efforts are still underway to effect their arrest for trial, starting that, once they are arrested the ongoing charges will be amended to accommodate the allegations initially filed against them.
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