Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has secured the conviction of a Deputy Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Idris Barde, for offences bordering on job racketeering and soliciting for gratification. Barde, who served as Personal Assistant to the former Commandant General of the NSCDC, Abdullahi Gana, was prosecuted before Justice Ngozika Nwabulu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Kurudu, on a two-count charge. The charges arose from his receipt of the sum of N4,550,000 from one Igbo Christian Okechukwu under the pretence of securing employment in the NSCDC for seven individuals.
One of the charges reads: “That you, Idris Barde (M), in the year 2017 or thereabout at Abuja, while being a public officer attached to the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, did accept for yourself the sum of N4,550,000.00 (Four Million, Five Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) from Igbo Christian Okechukwu as an inducement to secure jobs in the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for seven persons and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18(d) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.”
During the trial, the ICPC tendered compelling documentary and testimonial evidence demonstrating the illicit act. After evaluating the evidence before the court, Justice Nwabulu found Barde guilty and sentenced him to 12 months’ imprisonment, with an option of a N4 million fine. The conviction marks another significant victory in the commission's ongoing campaign against corruption within Nigeria's public service, particularly in cases where public officials exploit their positions to defraud unsuspecting citizens desperate for employment.
Reacting to the judgment, the Commission described the conviction as another demonstration of its unwavering commitment to holding public officers accountable for abuse of office and corruption. The Commission also reaffirmed its commitment to promoting integrity, transparency, and accountability across Nigeria’s public service and urged public officials and citizens alike to uphold ethical standards and comply with the law. It assured Nigerians that it would continue to deploy all lawful measures to prevent, investigate, and prosecute corruption wherever it occurs.
The case of Idris Barde is the latest in a series of prosecutions targeting employment racketeering within the NSCDC and other government agencies. In December 2024, the ICPC secured the conviction of Solomon Ogodo, a Superintendent of the NSCDC, who was sentenced to seven years in prison for defrauding job seekers of N12.2 million through a fake employment scheme. These convictions reflect a growing trend of judicial accountability for public officials who exploit the country's high unemployment rate to perpetrate fraud, often targeting vulnerable individuals who are willing to pay large sums for the promise of government employment.
The conviction also comes amid heightened public scrutiny of corruption within Nigeria's security and paramilitary agencies. The NSCDC, established in 2003 and charged with protecting critical national infrastructure and assisting in disaster management, has faced repeated allegations of corruption and abuse of office, particularly in its recruitment processes. The prosecution and conviction of senior officers like Barde and Ogodo signal a renewed effort by anti-graft agencies to clean up the corps and restore public confidence in its operations.
For the victims of such scams, the convictions offer a measure of justice, though the financial losses are often irrecoverable. The ICPC has urged members of the public to report any suspicious requests for payment in exchange for government jobs, warning that such practices are illegal and punishable under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000. The commission has also encouraged citizens to verify employment opportunities through official government channels and to avoid dealing with intermediaries who promise job placements in exchange for money.
The sentence handed down to Barde, which includes a custodial term with an option of a fine, reflects the court's recognition of the seriousness of the offence while also acknowledging the defendant's cooperation during the trial. The option of a N4 million fine provides an alternative to imprisonment, though it remains unclear whether Barde has opted to pay the fine or serve the full jail term. The ICPC has not disclosed whether the commission will pursue recovery of the N4.55 million fraudulently obtained from Okechukwu, though such restitution is often sought in corruption cases as part of the sentencing process.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with widespread unemployment and economic hardship, the fight against job racketeering remains a critical front in the broader war against corruption. The conviction of Idris Barde sends a clear message that public officials who exploit the desperation of job seekers will face the full weight of the law. For the ICPC, the case is a testament to the effectiveness of its investigative and prosecutorial efforts, and a reminder that accountability and transparency remain essential pillars of good governance. The commission has vowed to sustain the momentum, assuring Nigerians that no public officer, regardless of rank or influence, is above the law.
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