ICPC arraigns former lawmaker over money laundering in Benue
By Samuel Omotere
A former federal House of Representatives member for Gboko and Tarka Federal Constituency, John Dyegh has been arraigned on Monday for money laundering, abuse of office before Justice M. Shitu Abubakar at the Federal High Court 1 sitting in Makurdi, Benue State.
Dyegh was accused of violating the provisions of the ICPC Acts 2000 by using bank accounts affiliated with him to keep public funds meant for the construction of Benue school facilities in 2014, while he was in office.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Commission disclosed this in a statement made available to our correspondent on Tuesday that he was charged by the body bordering on corrupt practices in a five-count charge.
According to the statement, “The charges detailed alleged corrupt practices, including Dyegh’s receipt of N18,970,000 (Eighteen Million Nine Hundred and Seventy Thousand Naira) on May 19, 2014, intended for the construction of school facilities in Guma LGA, Benue State.
“He was accused of allegedly channeling the funds through the First Bank account of Midag Limited, a company in which Dyegh has a substantial interest. This alleged action violates Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Act, of 2000.
“Hon. Dyegh was further alleged to have received and transferred these funds through Midag Limited and Kangnaan Global Resources Limited, companies associated with him, contrary to the Corrupt Practices Act.”
In the charge sheet, Dyegh was accused of abusing his position by profiting from contracts awarded to certain companies that he is a signatory on their accounts, thereby overseeing the related funds.
When the trial began, he was remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Makurdi until his bail application was considered. The case was also adjourned until Monday, when Defense Counsel S.E. Irabo filed a bail application on behalf of Dyegh, citing health issues as the reason for the request.
Justice Abubakar granted the reps member bail of N20 million with conditions of providing two sureties who must submit their international passports to the court and provide verifiable addresses. The case had been adjourned until January 16, 2025.
