ICPC resumes prosecution of former IG of Police over alleged N16bn fraud

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is set to resume the prosecution of former Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Sunday Ehindero, at a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

The trial is for alleged criminal conversion of money belonging to the Ministry of Police Affairs into personal use while he was at the helm of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

This development followed a ruling of the Supreme Court which dismissed the appeal filed by the former Police Chief challenging the jurisdiction of the Commission and that of the FCT High Court to try him.

Mr. Ehindero and an alleged accomplice were in 2012 arraigned on a 6-count charge for allegedly conspiring to criminally convert public funds totaling N16,412,315.00 being interests generated from the sum of N557,995,065.00 Police money he had placed in two fixed deposit accounts at Wema Bank Plc and Intercontinental Bank Plc.

The said money was donated by Bayelsa State Government to the Force at the time to enable it purchase equipment for proper policing of the state.

When the principal sum donated was to be transferred to the Ministry of Police Affairs from the accounts, the interests earned were not transferred with it, and that formed the crux of the allegations against the accused.

On 6th June, 2012, Mr. Ehindero filed a motion on notice, by way of preliminary objection, wherein he prayed the trial court for orders: dismissing and/or striking out the amended charge for want of jurisdiction; quashing the amended charge against him for want of competency and; debarring any official of ICPC from prosecuting him for not having constitutional power to do so among others.

In the reserved ruling delivered on 21st September, 2012, the trial judge had dismissed the application in its entirety.

Thereafter, the former IGP proceeded to the Court of Appeal and again his appeal was dismissed by the appellate court sitting in Abuja on 14th January, 2014. A.D. Yahaya and T. Akomolafe-Wilson, JJCA concurred with the lead judgment of A. A. Adumein, JCA.