ICPC arraigns ex-Benue rep over alleged N18m fraud

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned John Dyegh, a former member of the House of Representatives, over an alleged N18 million fraud.

Dyegh, who represented the Gboko/Tarka federal constituency of Benue State, appeared before Judge Shitu Abubakar of the Federal High Court in Makurdi on Monday.

He faces a five-count charge related to alleged abuse of office and money laundering.

A statement issued on Tuesday by Demola Bakare, ICPC spokesperson, said the charge “detailed alleged corrupt practices, including Dyegh’s receipt of N18,970,000 on May 19 2014, intended for the construction of school facilities in Guma LGA, Benue state”.

“He was accused of allegedly channelling the funds through the First Bank account of Midag Limited, a company in which Dyegh has a substantial interest. This alleged action violates Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Act, of 2000,” the statement reads.

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Bakare said Dyegh allegedly received and transferred the funds through Midag Limited and Kangnaan Global Resources Limited — companies linked to the lawmaker.

He said the former lawmaker “abused his office by privately benefiting from contracts awarded to these companies while overseeing the related funds as a signatory on their accounts”.

Bakare said the judge ordered Dyegh to be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Makurdi, pending the determination of his bail application and adjourned till Monday, November 11.

He said at the resumed hearing of the case, S.E. Irabo, counsel to the defendant, moved a bail application for his client.

Bakare said Bako Along and T.S. Iorngee, ICPC lawyers, did not oppose the application.

The judge granted Dyegh bail in the sum of N20 million with two sureties whose international passports must be surrendered to the court.

The judge adjourned the matter to January 16, 2025.