The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja, has officially commenced the trial of two civil servants accused of involvement in a N12 million job racketeering scheme.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/idrinstitute.png")
The defendants, Mrs. Joy Ndubuisi Chineme from the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment and Mr. Godwin Tabo Sakat from the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, were first arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in July 2024 on nine counts.
According to a statement by ICPC Spokesperson, Demola Bakare, yesterday, the prosecution presented its first witness, Mrs. Adah Ojoma, an Assistant Director at the Commission, during the trial, which began on Monday under the watch of Justice C.O. Oba.
Ojoma revealed that an investigation was initiated following a petition received against Chineme on March 4, 2022.
She detailed the financial irregularities uncovered during the investigation, including the discovery of N300,000 in Chineme’s bank account and various other transactions totaling over N12 million. Significant transfers included N3.9 million in 2018, over N5 million in 2019, and N2.5 million in 2021, with N4.3 million transferred to Mr. Sakat.
Additionally, the investigation uncovered a fraudulent employment letter linked to the case. Mrs. Ojoma testified that Mrs. Chineme voluntarily provided her statement upon invitation to the Commission. However, the defendant’s counsel, E.E. Oga, contested the voluntariness of this statement, claiming it was made under duress, and requested a trial within a trial to address this issue
Responding, ICPC counsel Mr. Suleiman Abdulkareem acknowledged that while the statement was not a confession, he did not oppose the request for a trial within a trial. During this phase, Mrs. Ojoma reiterated that Chineme was invited by the Commission and, after being informed of her legal rights, had sought assistance from her husband and sister to prepare her statement, citing difficulties with writing
The defense requested an adjournment to present additional witnesses, leading the court to schedule the next hearing for March 25, 2025, to continue the proceedings.
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