THE Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has officially declared an ex-Naval Chief, Vice Admiral Jibrin Usman (rtd) and Brigadier-General Ishaya Bauka (rtd) wanted for their alleged involvement in a N3 billion fraud.
ICPC Spokesperson, Demola Bakare, who disclosed this on Friday, in Abuja, argued that there was never a time the commission removed Jibrin and Bauka from its wanted list.
“Therefore, any claim that the amended charges by ICPC have exonerated the duo of charges concerning embezzlement and abuse of office is fallacious and a figment of the imagination of the writers; it should be disregarded,” Bakare noted.
According to him, there is a subsisting arrest warrant against the two ex-military officers. He called on Nigerians who see them to assist in bringing them to justice. He added: “For the avoidance of doubt, the charges against them were only amended not withdrawn.
“ICPC does not clear anybody of a case already in court. It is a normal practice for prosecuting agencies to amend charges and proceed against the available defendants in a case pending when those at large or on court bench warrants would be arrested.
“When those at large or on court bench warrants are arrested, they would be added to manifest the initial charge.
“It should also be recalled that the ex-Naval chief in particular was charged along with five others in the original charge dated and filed on the 17th day of April 2023.
“The charges were served on the defendants by substituted means through their lawyers, yet they failed to submit themselves to the jurisdiction of the court for arraignment.
“Prompted by the defendants’ refusal to come to court for their arraignment, the commission sought and obtained a bench warrant from the trial court for their arrest.
“On the 4th day of February, 2025, Mr. Adam Imam Yusuf, the 2nd defendant in the original charge was arrested in his home in Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT, Abuja, leaving the two ex-military generals yet to be arrested.
“Efforts are still underway by the commission to pick them. The public is hereby assured that if they are arrested today, the ongoing charges will be amended to accommodate the allegations initially filed against them.”
