ICPC Arraigns Former Acting Comptroller-General Over Alleged Corruption, Age Falsification

ICPC Arraigns Former Acting Comptroller-General Over Alleged Corruption, Age Falsification

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Wednesday arraigned Dr Godwin Sunday Audu, former Acting Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Apo, Abuja, over allegations of corrupt enrichment and falsification of age.

The three-count charge, filed under case number CR/634/25, accuses Dr Audu of abusing his office between January 1990 and December 2024 to confer undue advantage on himself, including falsifying his date of birth to unlawfully extend his tenure in the federal public service.

At the commencement of proceedings before Honourable Justice Binta Dogonyaro, Dr Audu’s counsel, L. O. Ali, sought to raise preliminary objections, arguing that a similar matter was pending before another court and alleging that the current charge was filed in bad faith.

However, ICPC counsel Glory Iroegbu opposed the application, citing Section 396 (1) and (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), which mandates arraignment before any preliminary objections can be heard. Justice Dogonyaro upheld the prosecution’s position and directed that the defendant enter a plea.

Audu pleaded not guilty to all counts.

One of the charges alleges that while serving as Acting Comptroller-General of NAQS, he procured the sale of an official Toyota Prado Land Cruiser SUV to himself for N4,000,000 without following due process, in violation of Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

The Commission also accused Audu of submitting a false date of birth; December 3, 1964, instead of July 25, 1960 to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in 1990, and of continuing to draw salaries and emoluments between January 2020 and December 2024 by relying on the falsified age to unlawfully extend his service.

Following the plea, Audu’s counsel applied for bail, which the prosecution did not oppose. Justice Dogonyaro granted bail in the sum of N5,000,000 per count with two sureties each, requiring that at least one surety be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 10 and that both be property owners within the FCT. The defendant was also ordered to surrender his international passport and other relevant travel documents to the court registry.

The matter has been adjourned to May 14, 2026, for the commencement of hearing.

ICPC Spokesperson Okor Odey said the Commission remains committed to prosecuting public officials who abuse office, noting, “This case demonstrates our resolve to uphold integrity in public service and ensure that those who exploit their positions for personal gain are held accountable.”