By Olawale Lamina
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission ,ICPC, has secured the conviction of a Deputy Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ,NSCDC, Mr. Idris Barde, for offences bordering on job racketeering.
Mr. Barde, who served as Personal Assistant to the former Commandant General of the NSCDC, Mr. Abdullahi Gana, was prosecuted by the Commission before Justice Ngozika Nwabulu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Kurudu, on a two-count charge.
According to the ICPC’s investigation, the charges arose from his receipt of the sum of N4,550,000 (Four Million, Five Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) from one Mr. Igbo Christian Okechukwu under the pretence of securing employment in the NSCDC for seven individuals.
“That you, Idris Barde (M), in the year 2017 or thereabout at Abuja, while being a public officer attached to the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, did accept for yourself the sum of N4,550,000.00 (Four Million, Five Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) from Igbo Christian Okechukwu as an inducement to secure jobs in the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for seven persons and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18(d) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000,” one of the charges read.
During the trial, the ICPC tendered compelling documentary and testimonial evidence demonstrating the illicit act.
After evaluating the evidence before the Court, Justice Nwabulu found Mr. Barde guilty and sentenced him to 12 months’ imprisonment, with an option of a N4 million fine.
Reacting to the judgment, the Commission described the conviction as another demonstration of its unwavering commitment to holding public officers accountable for abuse of office and corruption.
The Commission seized the opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to promoting integrity, transparency, and accountability across Nigeria’s public service and urged public officials and citizens alike to uphold ethical standards and comply with the law.
It also assured Nigerians that it would continue to deploy all lawful measures to prevent, investigate, and prosecute corruption wherever it occurs.
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