ICPC to arraign Awudu, ex-surveyor-general, over ‘N2bn graft’

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) will on Monday arraign Ebisintei Awudu, former surveyor-general of the federation, before a high court in Abuja over allegations of fraud.

Operatives of the ICPC had in July 2019 raided Awudu’s office over allegations of contract fraud and theft of public asset.

Consequently, Awudu vacated his seat in September that same year.

Awudu is alleged to have awarded multiple contracts worth over N2 billion to a company in which he was a director and shareholder as well as to relation and associates.

He is also alleged to have received over N300 million as gratification from a contractor handling and executing different contracts for the office of surveyor-general of the federation, which is an offence contrary to Section (10) (a) (i) and punishable under Section 10 (a) (ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

The arraignment of the former surveyor-general, which was initially scheduled for July 5, was stalled due to his absence and that of his counsel.

Olusegun Adeniyi, a federal high court judge, had adjourned the case and ordered him to appear before the court on July 12.

Wahab Shittu, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), is the ICPC’s legal representative in the case.