By Nkechi Eze
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of a retired Deputy Director, Mr. Dare Adebowale Oladapo, formerly with the Kwara State Directorate of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, for falsifying his age and fraudulently receiving salaries and allowances after his lawful retirement.
According to an official statement signed by the ICPC spokesperson, Demola Bakare, the conviction was delivered by Honourable Justice Ibrahim Yusuf of the Kwara State High Court, Ilorin, on Tuesday, 7th October 2025, under Charge No. KWS/64C/2022.
The case originated from a petition filed before the Commission by an Ilorin-based legal practitioner, F. F. Ikebundu, Esq., of Ayo Ajomole & Co., alleging that the defendant falsified his age to unlawfully extend his years in public service.
ICPC investigations confirmed that Mr. Oladapo had altered his date of birth at the National Population Commission, thereby manipulating official records to prolong his service period and confer undue financial benefits upon himself.
Prosecuting Counsels to the Commission, Messrs. Kalu Ugbo and Zainab Moshood, informed the court that the defendant’s fraudulent actions led to the collection of unearned salaries and allowances amounting to ₦1,233,258.95 between December 2019 and April 2020.
One of the charges detailed how Mr. Oladapo made a false statement on oath in an affidavit dated February 15, 2012, wherein he maintained a falsified date of birth of November 11, 1964, instead of his actual birth date of November 11, 1959. This false declaration was subsequently used to alter his service records at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, where he had been employed since 1997.
Count One of the charge focused on his alteration of official records at the National Population Commission, contrary to Section 25(1)(a) and punishable under Section 25(b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000. Count Two also bordered on the making of a false statement under oath, while Count Three accused him of using his office to confer an unfair advantage on himself to the tune of ₦1,233,258.95, contrary to Section 19 of the same Act.
After a diligent trial, Justice Yusuf found Mr. Oladapo guilty on Counts One and Two, holding that the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant deliberately falsified his age and thereby benefited corruptly from the act. However, the court discharged and acquitted him on Count Three, which related to the alleged unlawful use of office.
Consequently, the court sentenced the convict to two years’ imprisonment, with an option of a ₦100,000 fine on each of the two counts. In addition, Justice Yusuf ordered him to refund the full sum of ₦1,233,258.95 to the Federal Government, representing the total amount of salaries and allowances he unlawfully received after his retirement date.
Following the court’s judgment, Mr. Oladapo promptly paid the ₦200,000 fine for the two counts and refunded the ₦1,233,258.95 into the ICPC Recovery Account as directed by the court.
The ICPC described the conviction as another demonstration of its resolve to uphold integrity in the public service by ensuring that corrupt public officials, serving or retired, are held accountable for any act of fraud, falsification, or unlawful enrichment at the expense of the Nigerian state.
