• Says we’re investigating billions illegally paid into public officials’ accounts
Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), has arrested a top academic, Professor Alex Akpa, for allegedly defrauding the federal government of N400 million.
The suspect, who was arrested by ICPC operatives, is the acting the acting Director-General (DG) of the country’s National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA),
Disclosing this in a statement signed by the ICPC’s spokesperson, Azuka Ogugua, Wednesday, the agency said it is also investigating Akpa, a professor of microbiology, for abuse of office.
The ICPC said, the NABDA boss was arrested by operatives of the commission to answer questions on how the said amount was misappropriated under him.
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The ICPC in its statement said while conducting investigations, it was revealed that the money, diverted into private pockets, against Akpa’s claim that the money was an intervention fund for the biotechnology agency.
Akpa, had also been accused of allegedly sharing the money with top management staff of the agency.
The ICPC said the offence of Akpa, only appointed in June 2020, is contrary to and punishable under sections 19 and 26 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
In his profile, Akpa is said to be a Fellow of the World Health Organisation (FWHO); a Fellow of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (FRSTMH) and a Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria (FCAI), and is presently said to have four patents granted for his original inventions.
