NIGERIA: Former IGP, Ehindero paid N558 million into his account – Investigating officer

An investigation officer with the Independence Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, on Monday told Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi, Adebayo of an Abuja High Court that in 2006, the sum of N557.9 million was paid into the Oceanic Bank account of a former Inspector General of Police, Sunday Ehindero.

Olayinka Adebayo, who led an investigating team, said the money was paid by a former IGP, Hafiz Ringim, who was then Commissioner of Police in Bayesa. He stated that the accused persons placed N200 million out of the amount in a fixed deposit account at the Intercontinental Bank Plc, where it had generated an interest of N16.5 million.

Ehindero who was docked alongside a former Commissioner of Police in charge of Budget, John Obaniyi, pleaded not guilty to a six-count criminal charge preferred against him by the anti-graft body.

ICPC maintained that its investigations revealed that the accused persons diverted the sum, which was donated to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) by the Bayelsa State Government.

The money was donated for the procurement of arms, ammunition and riot control equipment.

“We invited Ringim and got facts from him during our investigation.
Ringim also showed us copies of the vouchers raised for the said amount.”

“During the cause of investigation, the team visited Bayelsa, to get evidence of when the money was approved. We were referred to the office of the Bayelsa State Accountant General where we got a voucher for the N557.9 million. We also found out that the money was paid to the first accused person,” he said.

If convicted, Ehindero will be the second most senior police officer to be so found guilty after Tafa Balogun, also a one-time Inspector General of Police