NIGERIA: ICPC Convicts Aviation Ministry Staff Over Employment Fraud

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has convicted a staff member of the Federal Ministry of Aviation, Elvis Simon Okerenyi, for his involvement in a fake employment scam.

This was disclosed in a press statement released by the Commission and signed by the Director, Public Enlightenment and Education who doubles as the Spokesperson for the Commission, on Sunday.

According to the statement, Okerenyi was found guilty of defrauding a job seeker, Titus Tavershima, of the sum of ₦1,000,000.00 under the pretext of securing him a job in the Federal Civil Service.

The commission stated that the offence contravenes Section 320 and is punishable under Section 322 of the Penal Code, Cap 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria, 2006.

The commission revealed:  “the defendant entered into a plea bargain agreement with the prosecution; the initial seven-count charge was amended to a count charge to which the defendant pleaded guilty.”

The case was heard before Justice S. C. Oriji of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who convicted Okerenyi pursuant to Section 270(10) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) based on the amended charge.

The court sentenced the convict to one year imprisonment with an option of a ₦200,000.00 fine. Additionally, he was ordered to pay ₦350,000.00 in restitution to the victim, Titus Tavershima.