By Nkechi Eze
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of four individuals and a company involved in a bribery scheme, forgery, and the submission of false statements to public officers in a bid to fraudulently secure a government contract.
In an official statement signed by the Commission’s spokesperson, J. Okor Odey, the convicted parties were identified as Kenneth Okezie Samuel, Boss Engineering Nigeria Ltd, Collins Ugwu and Cosmas Okechukwu Eze. They were arraigned before Hon. Justice A. O. Otaluka of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Apo Division, on a six-count charge under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2003, involving conspiracy to offer bribes, payment of bribes, forgery and making false statements to public officers, contrary to Sections 22(6)(c), 22(1)(a)(i) and 25(1)(a) of the Act.
During the trial in Suit No. FCT/HC/CR/207/2016, the prosecution established that the defendants conspired to offer a ₦6,000,000 bribe to officials of the Federal Ministry of Works to influence the award of a contract. The court also heard that they submitted a forged tax clearance certificate among the prequalification documents for Boss Engineering Nigeria Ltd. The ICPC called seven witnesses and tendered multiple documentary exhibits in support of its case.
After considering the evidence and final written addresses, Justice Otaluka delivered judgment on 14th July 2025, holding that the Commission had proved all six counts beyond reasonable doubt. The court ruled that the conduct of the defendants demonstrated a deliberate plan to corrupt the contract award process through inducement and falsification of official documents.
In his sentencing, the judge imposed two years imprisonment on Kenneth Okezie Samuel on each of the six counts, to run concurrently, with an option of ₦1,000,000 fine. Boss Engineering Nigeria Ltd was fined ₦1,000,000 for each of three counts. Collins Ugwu received two years imprisonment on each of four counts, to run concurrently, with an option of ₦1,000,000 fine. Cosmas Okechukwu Eze was sentenced to one year imprisonment on each of four counts, also to run concurrently, with an option of ₦500,000 fine. All convicted parties have since paid the fines imposed by the court.
The Commission described the judgment as a major boost to the ongoing national campaign to strengthen integrity in public procurement and deter attempts to manipulate contract processes through bribery, forgery or deception. It reaffirmed its commitment to promoting transparency and accountability in engagements between public institutions and private entities, and commended the judiciary for its diligence in adjudicating the matter.
The ICPC urged members of the public, civil society organisations and the media to continue supporting the fight against corruption by reporting suspicious practices through its designated channels, stressing that only collective effort can ensure a procurement system where merit, fairness and integrity prevail over corrupt practices.
