The Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has announced the seizure of a property in Lagos, over the illegal diversion of funds perpetrated by the owner of the property. The seizure was contained in a press statement issued by Folu Olamiti, the Head of the Commission’s Media chief. The statement reads in part “The Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in a Public Notice dated May 28, 2013 hereby announces the seizure of a 3-Bedroom bungalow known as ‘Ambassador Cottage’ belonging to “Ambassador”Akinyemi Badejogbin at Alhaji Abduwajeed Ejias Avenue, situated directly opposite Cherubim and Seraphim Church of Zion, off Reformation of Christ Street, Owode Elede Junction, Mile 12, Lagos. The Seizure Order was signed by the Honourable Chairman of ICPC, Barr. Ekpo Nta pursuant to Section 45 (4) (a)-(b) of the Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Act 2000.
The action is in respect of an ongoing investigation contained in a petition received in the Commission in 2011 involving Akinyemi Badejogbin and Lanre Bakare over acts bordering on illegal diversion of public funds for their personal use. They were alleged to have used their former positions as Co-ordinator and Treasurer, respectively, of the National Anti-Corruption Volunteers Corps (NAVC), Lagos Chapter, to divert millions of Naira from the official NAVC Trustee Account into an illegally opened account named “NAVC Senatorial Account.” The duo were said to have opened and operated the account purportedly on behalf of the NAVC in breach of official directives. “Ambassador” Akinyemi Badejogbin had reneged on an agreement he voluntarily made in 2012 to refund the illegally diverted sums.
In a related development, the ICPC through a similar Public Notice dated May 22, 2013 has, in the course of an ongoing investigation, seized several movable and immovable properties belonging to a former banker, Mr. Olaniran Yemi-Aris which in the opinion of ICPC is excessive, having regards to his past emoluments and present circumstances.
Specifically, the seized properties include: a bungalow building with Boys quarters at Plot 9, Doma D Series Extension Layout and eight plots of land located at Phase III, Residential Layout III and CKC Extension Layout, all at Gwagwalada, Abuja; six plots of land located at Paiko, Niger State; Plot 26 (Block IX) located at Obalorisa Layout in Ijebu-Jesa and other plots of land located at Olorunsogo and Osogbo, in Osun State; and a Toyota Camry Saloon Car”.
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