Christopher Oluchukwu, a commandant with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has been convicted by the Katsina State High Court for his involvement in an employment scam.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) announced the conviction on Thursday, following a ruling by Justice Abbas Bawale on Tuesday. Oluchukwu was accused of soliciting money from individuals in exchange for promised job placements within the NSCDC.
The case came to light when three victims reported the scam to the ICPC after their promised positions failed to materialize and they did not receive refunds. The victims had paid sums of N200,000, N300,000, and N400,000 respectively.
During the trial, ICPC counsel Ibrahim Garba detailed how Oluchukwu’s actions violated sections 8, 10, and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act of 2000. The prosecution provided evidence of corrupt practices, including the acceptance of bribes for job placements.
Justice Bawale found Oluchukwu guilty on all nine counts. He was sentenced to five years in prison without the option of a fine, with the sentences running concurrently.
One of the counts against him stated: “That you Christopher Oluchukwu Ugwubujo on or about the 25th and 28th day of November 2014 within the jurisdiction of this Court while being a public officer with the NSCDC conferred corrupt advantage upon yourself by obtaining a total sum of four hundred thousand naira (N400,000.00) from one…for a job placement for her daughter into NSCDC, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.”
The ICPC Act criminalizes various forms of corruption, including bribery, embezzlement, and abuse of office, and prescribes penalties for those found guilty of such offenses.
