Ex-NAICOM Chief Gets 15- Year Sentence

An Abuja High Court on Wednesday sentenced Okechukwu Chukwulozie, a former Commissioner of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to 15 years in prison over N10.4 million fraud.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), in 2007 charged Chukwulozie, his wife, Angela; and a former Deputy Commissioner in charge of Finance and Administration, Adedolapo Ogungbe on 15 counts of N10.4 million fraud.

Delivering judgment, Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi, said the court sentenced Chukwulozie to three years on each of the five counts he is convicted for and it will run concurrently.

Oniyangi, who did not give the convict an option of fine, held that the ICPC had proved all the ingredients of Section 19 of the ICPC Act against him.

“The ICPC has proved beyond reasonable doubt that a commissioner of NICON, Chukwulozie, demanded fifty per cent of fees paid to liquidators of Gateway Insurance Plc.

“Beyond reasonable doubt is the standard of evidence required to validate a criminal conviction. Generally the prosecution bears the burden of proof and is required to prove their case.

“The prosecution has presented to court evidence to support its charges against the convict.

“In this case, they have done so. The court hereby sentences you to three years each on each of the five counts level against you, which will run concurrently,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the judge as saying on Wednesday.

However, Mudashiru, held that the ICPC had failed to prove its case against the second (Angela) and third accused (Ogungbe) persons.

“The court discharges the second and third accused persons charged with aiding and abetting the crime.

“You are hereby discharged and acquitted,” he said.