ICPC secures conviction of Company Director, firm over N13m contract fraud

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has secured the conviction of one Mr. Ojoko Robinson, a Director with Rojoke CNE Services Limited, and the company for contract fraud to the tune of N13, 710,252.44.

The conviction took place on January 23,2023.
The Commission had filed a 7-count charge against Mr. Robinson and the company before Hon. Justice N. O. Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Asaba Judicial Division, on allegations bordering on forgery.

ICPC, in a Charge No. FHC/ASB/3C/2022, informed the Court of how the defendants used forged documents in bidding and securing two World Bank contracts, contravening Sections 1(2) (c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, CAP M17, LFN 2004.

Having listened to both augments, the trial judge found the defendants guilty on all counts, as the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

In handing down his judgment, Justice Dimgba ruled that the defendants should refund 25 percent of the benefits derived from the contracts to the World Bank through the Asaba Office of the ICPC.

The trial Judge further ordered the 1st defendant, who is an Information Technology expert, to teach Information Communication Technology (ICT) at the Delta State ICT Hub, Asaba for two years at his own expense. The 1st defendant is to work out a programme with the management of the ICT Hub within two weeks from the date of the judgment and file a notice of compliance with the registrar of the Court.

The Judge also ruled that the 1st defendant, having been sent for training on Integrity by the World Bank, is to deliver regular talks on integrity to final-year students in three secondary schools (two in Asaba and one in his hometown) and file progress report every three months with the registrar of the Court.