ICPC Arraigns Former ARMTI’s Director Of Finance Over Alleged Multi-Million Naira Contract Fraud

Multiillion naira contract fraud. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned a former Director of Finance and Supply at the Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI), Ilorin, Kwara State, Ibitoye Olajide Moses, before the Kwara State High Court over alleged multi-million naira contract fraud and abuse of office.

The defendant was brought before Honourable Justice H.A. Saleeman on a 24-count charge bordering on conferring unfair advantage, acquisition of private interests in public contracts, misappropriation of funds, and making false statements to investigators.

At the arraignment, the defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges preferred against him.

Following the plea, defence counsel, Mr. Oluwasheye Adeboye, applied for his bail, which was not opposed by the prosecution counsel, Mr. David Nwaze.

The court subsequently granted bail to the defendant in the sum of ₦5,000,000 with two sureties resident within the court’s jurisdiction, one of whom must possess landed property.

The matter was thereafter adjourned to May 26, 2026, for the commencement of trial.

ICPC’s investigations revealed that the defendant allegedly used his position to influence the award of several contracts worth tens of millions of Naira to companies in which he had direct and indirect interests.

Notably, the defendant is accused of benefiting from a ₦48.52 million contract for entrepreneurship training on oil palm production for women in Akwa Ibom State, awarded to Magic Touch Business Solutions Ltd—a company in which he is allegedly a director and shareholder.

Further allegations indicate that he derived financial benefits from a ₦29.95 million contract for dry season farming training, as well as a ₦40 million contract for youth and women empowerment in agricultural value chains, both similarly awarded to the same company.

In another instance, the defendant allegedly obtained an indirect benefit of ₦550,000 from a ₦28.85 million contract awarded to Synergy Impact Consulting Ltd.

The charges also detailed contracts valued at ₦15.8 million, ₦14.96 million, ₦10 million, and ₦19.83 million, among others, in which the defendant allegedly had interests and therefore exerted influence in the procurement process to favour affiliated companies.

In addition, the prosecution alleged that the defendant dishonestly misappropriated ₦3 million, purportedly collected as administrative charges on contracts awarded by ARMTI.

Mr. Moses was also said to have maintained active involvement in Magic Touch Business Solutions Ltd while in public service, alongside his wife, who is also a director and signatory to the company’s accounts.

ICPC

One of the counts also accuses the defendant of making false statements to investigators by denying his directorship and financial dealings with the companies under investigation, claims said to have been contradicted by documentary evidence.

The prosecution is expected to call witnesses and tender documentary exhibits to substantiate the allegations during the trial.

The case has been adjourned to May 26, 2026, for commencement of trial.

Signed
J. Okor Odey, Anipr
Spokesperson for the Commission

Police Arrests Two Officers, Rescue Abducted Baby In Nasarawa

Police arrests two officers. The Nasarawa state police command says it has rescued a three-day-old abducted baby and arrested two suspects in connection with the crime.

In a statement on Friday, Ramhan Nansel, state police public relations officer, said on March 29, a report of the abduction was received from Aisha Basa, a 19-year-old resident of Ungwan Bako, Orange market, Mararaba in Karu LGA.

Basa said her husband, Abubakar Isah, a commercial tricycle (Keke Napep) rider, had travelled to Lagos for business about five months earlier.

“She reported that on Saturday, March 28 at about 11:50pm while she was asleep with her three-day-old baby in her house located at the outskirts of Unguwan Bawa, Orange Market, two unidentified men broke into the house, threatened her and abducted the baby to an unknown destination,” the statement reads.

“Upon receipt of the report, Shettima Jauro-Mohammed, Commissioner of Police directed detectives of Mararaba ‘A’ Division to immediately visit the scene, and ordered a full-scale investigation into the incident.

“Acting on credible intelligence, police operatives on April 3rd, 2026 at about 4:00am arrested two suspects.”

The spokesperson said the suspects are Furera Abdulrahman of Rugan Juli, and Sadiya Abdullahi of Anguwan Bako, Orange Market.

He said the abducted baby boy was found in the possession of the suspects and was successfully rescued.

Nansel said during interrogation the suspects confessed to the crime and implicated an accomplice who is currently at large.

Police Arrests

“The rescued baby was immediately taken to the Medical Centre, Mararaba, where he was examined by a medical doctor, certified to be in good health,” the statement reads.

“The child has since been reunited with his parents after being discharged from the hospital.”

He said the case is currently under investigation and would be transferred to the state criminal investigation department (SCID), Lafia, for “further discreet investigation” upon completion of preliminary inquiries.

Court Jails One Abdulrahman Mallam For False Information In Maiduguri

Justice Aisha Kumaliya of the Borno State High Court sitting in Maiduguri convicted and sentenced one Abdulrahman Mallam to six months imprisonment.

The convict was arraigned on Thursday, April 2, 2026 by the Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a one -count charge for the offence of giving false information.

The charge read: “That you, Abdulrahman Mallam between the period of 24 October, 2025 to March, 2026 at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, 80, Baba Shehu Laminu Street, Maiduguri, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did make written statements to Alex Mbu Anjor and Sadiq Danjuma Junior, officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to wit: “I introduced myself to bank fraud section as a civil servant with Ministry of Youth and Sport Poverty Alleviation Borno State…. I was already retired when I stand as surety…” which statement you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 39(2)(a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Establishment Act, 2024 and punishable under section 39(2)(b) of the same Act.”

The defendant pleaded “guilty” to the charge when it was read to him. Based on his plea, prosecution counsel, S.O Saka prayed the court to convict and sentence him accordingly. While counsel for the defendant A. B. Dikwa prayed the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendant is remorseful for his action.

Justice Kumaliya thereafter sentenced and convicted him to six months imprisonment with an option of N50, 000 (Fifty Thousand Naira) fine.

His journey to the correctional facility started when he gave false information to stand as a surety at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Maiduguri Zonal Directorate, Bank Fraud unit.

In another development, The Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Thursday, April 2, 2026 arraigned one Ibrahim Mohammed Tungushe before Justice Aisha Kumaliya of the Borno State High Court, Maiduguri.

Count two read: “That you, Ibrahim Mohammed Tungushe on or about November, 2025 in Maiduguri, Borno state within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court dishonestly misappropriated and converted to your own use the aggregate sum of N 1,250,000.00 ( One Million Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) only, being proceeds from the sale of 100 cartons of indomie instant noodles, belonging to one Bukar Babakura which you received under the guise that you will supply same to your customers and make payments for it within 24 (twenty four) hours and thereby committed an offence contrary section 296 and punishable under section 297 of the Borno state penal code Law and other matter connected therewith (No. 3 Vol. 48 Law 2923) respectively.”

Jail

The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charges prepared against him by the EFCC.

Counsel for the prosecution S.O Saka prayed the court for a trial date and to remand the defendant in prison custody.

Thereafter, Justice Kumaliya adjourned till April 16, 2026 for commencement of trial and remanded the defendant in Maiduguri Maximum Custodial Centre.

His journey to the correctional facility started when he received 00 cartons of indomie instant noodles, belonging to the complainant received under the guise that the same will be supplied to customers and make payments within 24 (twenty four) hours. He neither returned the instant noodles nor the complainant’s money,