N342 Million Contract Fraud: ICPC secures conviction of Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) staff

By TONY ADAMS

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has secured the conviction of  Engineer Dasel Nanjwan, an employee of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA).

 

Engineer Nanjwan was sentenced to three years imprisonment by the Calabar Division of Court of Appeal for holding private interest in a N342 Million contract regarding the replacement of warehouses and factories at the Calabar Free Trade Zone.

 

Engineer Nanjwan was a Member of the Technical Committee on the side of Federal Government in a negotiation with General Electric (GE) Africa, on investments in the Calabar Free Trade Zone as well as the owner and sole signatory to the account of Kwop-ri Services, the Company that won the contract.

 

The defendant was initially arraigned by ICPC before a  Calabar High Court presided over by Justice Emily Ibok on a five – count charge which include knowingly holding private interest in a  N342 Million contract connected with an office which he is employed, an offence contrary to and punishable under section 12 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

 

In a judgement delivered at the High Court in Calabar by Justice Emily Ibok on19th May 2019, the defendant was discharged and acquitted of all charges.

 

Dissatisfied with the judgement, ICPC filed an appeal at the Calabar Division of the Court of Appeal.

 

The Court of Appeal in a unanimous judgement set aside the decision of the lower court and sentenced the defendant to three  years imprisonment