ICPC arraigns NSCDC deputy commandant, Edike Akpan, over N26.7m fraud

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has arraigned a Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, Mr. Edike Akpan, for allegedly defrauding prospective homeowners of N26,655,000.

He was arraigned at a High Court in the Kwali area of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

A total of 17-count was leveled against him which included using a private real estate company, Danemy Nig Ltd, to defraud land subscribers.

A statement by the ICPC spokesperson Azuka Ogugua on Thursday said Akpan committed the offence between 2010 and 2015.

She added that the offence violated Sections 19 and 26 (1) (c) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and was punishable under Section 19 of the same Act.

Ogugua said the accused pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him.

The statement partly, “The charge sheet revealed that the deputy commandant convinced many subscribers with the claim of being in partnership with NSCDC, to pay various sums of money for plots of land both in Karshi, Nasarawa State and Sabon Lugbe Extension, Airport Road, Abuja, which were never allocated to them.

“In one of the charges, Mr. Akpan was alleged to have conferred an undue advantage on himself when he allegedly received N13,350,000 in 2011 from a subscriber, Mr. Igwe Onus Nwankwo, through his company Danemy Nig Ltd, as payments for 10 plots of land at Airport Road.

He was at various times alleged to have received N1,305,000 from Doctors Robert Okoro and Akuneme Marcel Ikwuoma, each, for the allocation of plots of land at the Defenders Family Estate Homes Scheme, Airport Road.

The NSCDC officer was also accused of receiving N2,610,000 from Mrs. Chidinma Obasi for two plots of land and N1,205,000 from Mr. Etuechere Martins, for a plot.”

She said the counsel to ICPC, John-Paul Okwor, did not oppose the bail application, however, prayed the court to admit the accused to bail on reasonable terms that would ensure his attendance in court for trial.

Ogugua noted that the Judge, S. Gaba admitted him to bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties in like sum.

She added that the court further ruled that the defendant must deposit his international passport with the court Registrar with a caveat to be released to him upon application for the purpose of medical treatments.

The case was adjourned on November 7 for commencement of trial.