The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of a Lagos State civil servant, Mr. Emmanuel Ogunyemi, for receiving dual salaries from two government agencies in violation of Nigeria’s anti-corruption laws.
Mr. Ogunyemi was found guilty of drawing monthly payments simultaneously from the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), thereby defrauding the government of a total sum of ₦3,491,874.90 over a period of time.
The ICPC, following a comprehensive investigation, charged Mr. Ogunyemi under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 with eight counts of corrupt practices.
The matter was filed before the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja under Charge No: ID/25541C/2024. The investigation and prosecution followed after obtaining the necessary administrative approvals.
As part of the legal proceedings, Mr. Ogunyemi entered a plea bargain agreement with the Commission. This agreement saw the reduction of the initial eight-count charge to three counts, to which he pleaded guilty.
The plea deal enabled the defendant to avoid imprisonment on the condition that he adhere to specific non-custodial terms.
Delivering judgment, Hon. Justice Ijelu of the Lagos High Court Criminal Division convicted Mr. Ogunyemi on Tuesday and imposed the terms of the plea bargain.
According to the report, he was sentenced to pay a fine of ₦1,500,000, perform three days of community service as directed by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice’s Community Service Officers, and sign a ₦5,000,000 good behaviour bond. The bond serves as a deterrent, and failure to maintain lawful conduct in the future could lead to its forfeiture.
In a statement signed by Demola Bakare, Director of Public Enlightenment and Education and spokesperson for the Commission, IPCC noted that before his arraignment, Mr. Ogunyemi had voluntarily refunded the full sum of ₦3,491,874.90 to the ICPC’s recovery account. The court ordered the forfeiture of this amount to the Federal Government, considering it proceeds of crime.
In addition to fulfilling the terms of the sentence, the convicted civil servant submitted a written undertaking to the ICPC, committing to lawful behaviour moving forward.
The prosecution team from the ICPC was led by Mrs. Yvonne William-Mbata, with support from Mrs. Roseline Eze and Mrs. Oluwayemisi Pereira. The defendant was represented by Mr. Kehinde Adeleke.
This conviction reaffirms the ICPC’s strategic use of plea bargaining and non-custodial sentencing in appropriate cases, especially where offenders demonstrate remorse, make restitution, and commit to reform.
The ICPC emphasised its resolve to promote integrity in public service, ensure transparency, and hold public officials accountable for misconduct.
The Commission reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy on corruption and reiterated that public servants who engage in fraudulent activities would face the full weight of the law.