The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, CACOL, has backed the decision of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to arraign Mr. Victor Igboanugo, a Director in the Federal Ministry of Education.
This was contained in a statement issued to DAILY POST by CACOL’s Executive Chairman, Debo Adeniran.
The statement added, “The 17-count charge brought against Victor Igboanugo, who was charged before an FCT High Court, in Apo, bordering on money laundering involving a huge sum of N162 million, was another bold step in tackling the hydra-headed monster of corruption in the country, because for every millions of Naira stolen or misappropriated by any Government official and their cronies, millions of Nigerians are directly deprived of access to education, good roads, electricity and other social amenities, and right to a good Medicare.
“Like Caesar’s wife, those who have being put in positions of public trust must rise above board by accounting for every penny in their care.
“We commend ICPC for their patriotic zeal to rid our land of evils of corruption and provide the accused the opportunity to clear their names if they are innocent of the charges preferred against them.
“It is a good work well-done by the ICPC, to have been able to put Igboanugbo on trial over ownership of property valued above his legitimate income and the alleged contract frauds to the tune of N162 million, which was made known to the court by the ICPC counsel, Henry Emore.
“He told the court that the accused, while being the Secretary of the Ministerial Tender’s Board at the Ministry of Environment, facilitated the award of multiple contracts of private companies where he held personal interests.
“We advise that this case and many others should be clinically, diligently and fairly prosecuted, and properly concluded.
“If the accused is found guilty, he should be made to suffer for his wicked acts, while proceeds of the crime should be completely retrieved and repatriated to their original source, in order to relief long-suffering Nigerians and serve as a deterrent to others.”
