Court Adjourns Trial of IPPIS Staff Over Alleged ₦1.17m Salary Diversion to September 18

The Federal High Court in Lagos has adjourned to September 18 the case involving two staff members of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), accused of diverting salaries of former employees of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ebute Meta.

The defendants, Chief Accountant Shola Onasanya and Principal Executive Officer of Accounts Halimat Olalere, were arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) on an amended two-count charge. They are alleged to have converted ₦1.17 million meant for exited workers into personal accounts between January and December 2023.

During Wednesday’s proceedings, the ICPC prosecutor, Enosa Omoghibo, informed the court of a plea bargain agreement filed on September 4 and sought to substitute the original charge with an amended version. Both defendants pleaded guilty. However, Justice Ibrahim Kala ruled that guilty pleas alone were insufficient for conviction, stressing that the prosecution must still provide evidence to establish the case.

Following this, defence counsel requested more time to take necessary steps. The case was adjourned to allow a review of facts, with the prosecution maintaining that Olalere’s account was used to divert funds under Onasanya’s instructions, in violation of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2022.