The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of four individuals and a company for conspiracy to offer bribes, payment of bribes, forgery, and making false statements to public officers.

The convicted persons are Kenneth Okezie Samuel (1st Defendant), Boss Engineering Nigeria Ltd (2nd Defendant), Collins Ugwu (3rd Defendant), and Cosmas Okechukwu Eze (4th Defendant). They were arraigned before Justice A. O. Otaluka of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Apo Division, on a six-count charge contrary to the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2003.

The charges included conspiracy to offer bribe, payment of bribe, forgery, and making false statements to public officers, in violation of Sections 22(6)(c), 22(1)(a)(i), and 25(1)(a) of the Act.

During the trial in Suit No. FCT/HC/CR/207/2016, the Commission presented substantial evidence showing that the defendants conspired to offer a bribe of N6,000,000 to officials of the Federal Ministry of Works to facilitate the award of a contract. The defendants also submitted a forged tax clearance certificate as part of the prequalification documents for Boss Engineering Nigeria Ltd.

The ICPC prosecution team called seven witnesses and tendered several documentary exhibits in proof of the case.

After the adoption of final written addresses, the Court delivered its judgment on July 14, 2025, holding that the prosecution had proved all six counts beyond a reasonable doubt. Justice Otaluka ruled that the evidence established a deliberate scheme by the defendants to compromise the contract award process through bribery and document forgery.

The Court imposed the following penalties:

• Kenneth Okezie Samuel (1st Defendant) was sentenced to two years imprisonment on each of Counts 1 to 6, to run concurrently, with an option of N1,000,000 fine.
• Boss Engineering Nigeria Ltd (2nd Defendant) was fined N1,000,000 each for Counts 1, 4, and 5.
• Collins Ugwu (3rd Defendant) received two years imprisonment on each of Counts 1, 4, 5, and 6, to run concurrently, with an option of N1,000,000 fine.
• Cosmas Okechukwu Eze (4th Defendant) received one year imprisonment on each of Counts 1, 4, 5, and 6, to run concurrently, with an option of N500,000 fine.

All defendants have since paid their fines.

The Commission described the judgment as a significant victory in the fight against corruption in Nigeria’s public procurement system. It stressed that attempts to undermine integrity in contract award processes through bribery, falsification, or deceit will continue to attract the full weight of the law.

ICPC reaffirmed its commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and integrity in dealings between public institutions and private entities. It commended the judiciary for its diligence and professionalism and urged the public, civil society groups, and the media to continue supporting the national anti-corruption effort by reporting suspicious activities through the Commission’s designated channels.

Together, the Commission said, Nigeria can build a system where public contracts are awarded strictly on merit and integrity prevails over corruption.

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