ICPC declares two ex-military officers wanted over alleged N3b fraud

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has officially declared an ex-Naval Chief, Vice Admiral Jibrin Usman (retd), and Brigadier-General Ishaya Bauka wanted for their alleged involvement in a N3 billion fraud.

ICPC spokesperson, Demola Bakare, who disclosed this on Friday in Abuja, stated that the commission never removed Jibrin and Bauka from its wanted list.

“Therefore, any claim that the amended charges by ICPC have exonerated the duo of charges concerning embezzlement and abuse of office is fallacious and a figment of the imagination of the writers. It should be disregarded,” Bakare noted.

According to him, there is a subsisting arrest warrant against the two ex-military officers, and he called on Nigerians who see them to assist in bringing them to justice.

He added, “For the avoidance of doubt, the charges against them were only amended, not withdrawn.

“ICPC does not clear anybody of a case already in court. It is a normal practice for prosecuting agencies to amend charges and proceed against the available defendants in a case, pending when those at large or on court bench warrants are arrested.

“When those at large or under court bench warrants are arrested, they will be added to the manifest of the initial charge.

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“It should also be recalled that the ex-Naval Chief, in particular, was charged along with five others in the original charge dated and filed on the 17th day of April 2023.

“The charges were served on the defendants by substituted means through their lawyers, yet they failed to submit themselves to the jurisdiction of the court for arraignment.

“Prompted by the defendants’ refusal to come to court for their arraignment, the commission sought and obtained a bench warrant from the trial court for their arrest.

“On the 4th day of February 2025, Mr. Adam Imam Yusuf, the second defendant in the original charge, was arrested in his home in Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT, Abuja, leaving the two ex-military generals yet to be arrested.

“Efforts are still underway by the commission to pick them up. The public is hereby assured that if they are arrested today, the ongoing charges will be amended to accommodate the allegations initially filed against them.”