ICPC Nabs Civil Defence Officer for ₦1.7m Fraud, Defendant Pleads Guilty

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned a senior officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Deputy Superintendent Sani Yakubu, before the Kaduna State High Court on charges of criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of funds.

According to a statement issued on Friday by ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare, Yakubu was arraigned before Justice Isiaka of High Court 12 on Monday, November 4, 2025. The commission accused him of diverting ₦1,720,000 belonging to Mrs. Vennica Idoko—money he allegedly received on her behalf while performing his official duties.

The charge sheet stated that the offences contravene Sections 294, 300, and 86 of the Penal Code Law of Kaduna State. It further alleged that Yakubu dishonestly misappropriated the said amount entrusted to him in his capacity as a civil defence officer.

During court proceedings, Yakubu reportedly broke down in tears and pleaded guilty to all three counts. Following his plea, Justice Isiaka adjourned the matter to November 12, 2025, for judgment and sentencing.

Reacting to the development, ICPC spokesperson and Director of Public Enlightenment and Education, Mr. Demola Bakare, reiterated the commission’s commitment to ensuring accountability among public officers. He warned that any civil servant found guilty of abusing public trust would face the full weight of the law.

“This case serves as a reminder that corruption, regardless of the amount, erodes public confidence in government institutions and will not be tolerated,” Bakare stated.

In a related development earlier in March 2025, the ICPC arraigned a former Deputy Director in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Christiana Goka, for allegedly misappropriating ₦5,398,656. Goka, who was the Head of the Department of Research Monitoring Information System at the Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa, was charged before Justice J.A. Aina of the FCT High Court, Kwali, Abuja, for misappropriation and providing false statements.

The ICPC alleged that she diverted ₦5,164,656 meant for a management retreat of the ministry in Dutse, Jigawa State, in 2017, which was later cancelled.