Feb 26 • 04:13 UTC 🇳🇬 Nigeria Punch

EFCC arraigns three senior NRC officials over alleged N2.04bn fraud

Three senior officials from the Nigerian Railway Corporation face serious charges from the EFCC regarding allegations of fraud amounting to N2.04 billion.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought serious charges against three senior officials of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), leading to their arraignment in the Lagos State High Court. These officials, including Felix Njoku, the former Director of Finance, Benjamin Chinwuba Iloanusi from the Procurement Department, and Oche Jerry Ogbole-Inalegwu, the Director of Mechanical, are implicated in a significant fraud case involving over N2.04 billion. The charges against them include corruption, abuse of office, and money laundering, highlighting a deepening crisis of integrity within key government institutions.

Felix Njoku is facing particularly severe charges, with a total of 17 counts against him relating to an alleged fraud scheme totaling N736,320,807.08. The EFCC contends that after leaving his role as Director of Finance, Njoku illicitly obtained funds from NRC contractors, utilizing a bank account associated with his business operations. This specific case sheds light on broader issues of corruption within Nigeria, where accountability for financial misconduct has often been insufficient, and trust in public officials has been severely eroded.

The EFCC's actions signify a crucial step in tackling corruption in Nigeria, particularly within its public institutions. As legal proceedings continue, it will be essential to observe how these allegations unfold and if they inspire further investigations into other officials and departments, potentially reforming the landscape of governance in Nigeria. Such high-profile cases are necessary to restore public confidence and demonstrate that corruption will no longer be tolerated, aligning with Nigeria's ongoing struggle for transparency and ethical governance.

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