Ex NAICOM Chief sentenced to 15 years in
prison for N10.4m fraud
Okechukwu Chukwulozie, a former Commissioner of the National
Insurance Commission (NAICOM) yesterday began his journey to Kuje Prison in
Abuja to serve 15 years over N10.4 million frauds.
He was convicted last Wednesday at an Abuja High Court on 5
counts charge for using private interest to furnish his official residence and
demanding for a percentage in a contract he awarded.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences
Commission (ICPC),in 2007 jointly charged Chukwulozie, his wife, Angela; and a
former Deputy Commissioner in charge of Finance and Administration, Adedolapo
Ogungbe to court the N10.4 million fraud without option of fine.
It was yesterday that Chief Chukwulozie began his journey to
Kuje prison from ICPC detention cell as it was late yesterday to convey him to
Kuje after securing his conviction papers.
Delivering judgment, Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi, said that
the court sentenced Chukwulozie to three years on each of the five counts he is
convicted for and it will run concurrently.
Oniyangi, held that the ICPC had proved all the ingredients
of Section 19 of the the ICPC Act against him.
“The ICPC has proved beyond reasonable doubt that a
commissioner of NICON, Chukwulozie, demanded fifty per cent of fees paid to
liquidators of Gateway Insurance Plc.
“Beyond reasonable doubt is the standard of evidence
required to validate a criminal conviction. Generally the prosecution bears the
burden of proof and is required to prove their case.
“The prosecution has presented to court evidence to support
its charges against the convict.
“In this case, they have done so. The court hereby sentences
you to three years each on each of the five counts level against you, which
will run concurrently.
However, Justice Oniyangi held that the ICPC had
failed to prove its case against the second (Angela) and third accused
(Ogungbe) persons.
“The court discharges the second and third accused persons
charged with aiding and abetting the crime.
The above report is a press release by the Independent Corrupt
Practices and Other Related Offences Commission-ICPC
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