The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it has uncovered the diversion of 250million at Usman Danfodio University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto State.
In a statement published on its website on Tuesday, the anti-graft agency said, its investigation revealed that the fraud was carried out when deductions meant for third parties such as the State Board of Internal Revenue and over-payment deductions were diverted on the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) and channeled into the private accounts of an individual and a company.
The statement reads, “The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has uncovered the diversion of a huge sum of money belonging to the Federal Government into private pockets.
“The money, in the sum of over Two Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N250m) was diverted from the personnel cost account of the Usman Danfodio University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto State.”
The ICPC stated the account staff behind the fraudulent diversion of public fund had been arrested and is being questioned, adding that the commission was working to recover the stolen funds from the culprit.
“The Commission has already taken into custody the kingpin in this criminal endeavour who is an Accounts staff of UDUTH. He is being questioned to unravel all those behind this fraudulent act.
“ICPC has also commenced efforts to recover the proceeds of this fraud through the seizure of exotic cars and real estate properties from the main culprit.
The commission said the account staff who masterminded the fraud took advantage of IPPIS platform that “allows Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) to edit salaries that have been processed by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) before they are finalised or paid.
Thereafter, he substitute the genuine destination account numbers with those of his co-conspirators before payment.
It added that investigation into the fraud was ongoing and that appropriate actions would be taken by the Commission upon conclusion.
