Five senior customs officers are being interrogated by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over their alleged involvement in the issuance of fake documents to release containers of PHCN equipment worth N15 billion.
Daily Trust reliably gathered that the containers were said to have been donated by the Iranian government to boost the power generation in the country. It was also gathered that the containers, said to be 10 in number, were dropped at the Ikorodu Terminal warehouse before distribution to power stations. It was gathered that the affected customs officers have been invited by the ICPC and have made statements in connection with the matter.
When contacted yesterday, the Resident Consultant, Media and Event of the ICPC, Mr. Folu Olamiti who confirmed the development said the affected officers have been quizzed for their alleged role in the matter. Sources close to the presidency told newsmen in Ilorin yesterday that after dropping the containers at the Ikorodu terminal warehouse, some people were said to have forged fake documents for the release and thereby took them away. Sources added that the development led the management of the customs to set up a panel of inquiry with the aim of fishing out those behind the act.
The panel according to the sources has submitted its report to the management which in turn submitted it to the federal government but the government was said to be unsatisfied with the report and thereby ordered the ICPC to take over the matter in order to unravel the circumstances.
Source: Daily Trust