ICPC Arrest Professor Alex Akpa For Allegedly Defrauding Nigerian Government Of N400m

The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) has arrested the acting Director-General (DG) of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), Professor Alex Akpa, for allegedly defrauding the Federal Government of N400 million.

ICPC spokesperson, Azuka Ogugua, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, said the commission is also investigating the official for abuse of office.

According to the statement, Mr Akpa, who is a professor of microbiology, was arrested by operatives of the commission to answer questions on how the said amount was misappropriated under his watch.

The ICPC also said investigations revealed that the money, which the acting DG had claimed to be an intervention fund for the biotechnology agency, was diverted into private pockets.

The agency also accused Mr Akpa, who was recently appointed in June, to have allegedly shared the money with top management staff of the agency.

The commission said his offence is contrary to and punishable under sections 19 and 26 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

KanyiDaily recalls that ICPC had also seized a multi-million naira property belonging to the Bauch State Governor, Bala Mohammed, which he allocated to a school that had himself and family members as directors and shareholders.