The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has successfully prosecuted a Lagos State civil servant for receiving simultaneous salaries from two government institutions.
Mr. Emmanuel Ogunyemi was found guilty of drawing salaries concurrently from the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), an act that violates the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.
According to the ICPC investigation, Ogunyemi illegally accumulated ₦3,491,874.90 through this fraudulent practice. The Commission initially filed eight counts of corrupt practices against him at the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja under Charge No: ID/25541C/2024.
The case took a turn when Ogunyemi entered into a plea bargain with the prosecution. Under this agreement, the charges were reduced to three counts, to which he pleaded guilty. The arrangement allowed him to avoid imprisonment provided he met specific conditions.
Non-Custodial Sentence
At his arraignment before Justice Ijelu of the Ikeja High Court's Criminal Division on Tuesday, Ogunyemi was sentenced to pay a fine of ₦1,500,000 and complete three days of community service under the supervision of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice's Community Service Officers.
Additionally, he was required to execute a good behaviour bond valued at ₦5,000,000, which would be forfeited should he engage in any future misconduct.
Prior to the court proceedings, Ogunyemi had voluntarily refunded the full amount of ₦3,491,874.90 into the ICPC's designated recovery account. The court subsequently ordered the forfeiture of this sum to the Federal Government.
Ogunyemi also submitted a written undertaking to the ICPC, pledging to maintain lawful conduct in the future.
The ICPC's prosecution team was led by Mrs. Yvonne William-Mbata, with support from Mrs. Roseline Eze and Mrs. Oluwayemisi Pereira, while Mr. Kehinde Adeleke represented the defendant.
This conviction highlights the ICPC's ongoing efforts to promote integrity in public service and ensure accountability among public officials across Nigeria.
