The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Mrs. Ndubuisi Joy Cheneme, a staff member of the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, and Mr. Godwin Sabo Takat from the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing. The duo faces allegations of obtaining money by false pretence and involvement in employment racketeering.
In charge No. CR/243/2024, presented before Honourable Justice C.O. Oba of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court 31 in Apo, Abuja, the ICPC accuses the defendants of defrauding unsuspecting job seekers of over Twelve Million Naira (N12,000,000).
The ICPC, in a 9-count charge, alleges that the defendants jointly obtained the said amount from their victims through false pretences. According to ICPC Counsel Mr. Nura Saidu, their actions contravened Section 1 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, Section 18(d) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and Section 363 of the Penal Code Act, 1990.
One of the counts reads: “That you, Godwin Sabo Takat, between January and June 2018 or thereabouts, at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, while being a staff of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, with intent to defraud, did induce by false pretence Ndubuisi Joy Chineme to confer a benefit on you by paying the sum of N4,530,000.00 (Four Million, Five Hundred and Thirty Thousand Naira) into your First Bank account for securing employment for unsuspecting job seekers in the Federal Civil Service. You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(2) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.”
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all 9-count charges during their hearing.
