By Newspot Nigeria News Desk
ABUJA — The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of four individuals and a Nigerian engineering firm for bribery, forgery, and falsification of documents in a bid to fraudulently obtain a government contract.
The convicted parties include Kenneth Okezie Samuel, Boss Engineering Nigeria Ltd, Collins Ugwu, and Cosmas Okechukwu Eze. They were found guilty on a six-count charge before Justice A. O. Otaluka of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo Division, following a trial that began under Suit No. FCT/HC/CR/207/2016.
How the Scheme Worked
According to ICPC, the defendants conspired to offer a bribe of ₦6 million to officials of the Federal Ministry of Works to fast-track the award of a contract. Investigators also uncovered that the group submitted a forged tax clearance certificate as part of Boss Engineering’s prequalification documents.
The Commission presented seven witnesses and tendered several documents to establish the bribery conspiracy, forgery, and false declarations.
Court’s Verdict
After reviewing the evidence and final written addresses, the court delivered judgment on July 14, 2025, ruling that the prosecution had proved all six counts beyond reasonable doubt.
Justice Otaluka imposed the following sentences:
- Kenneth Okezie Samuel (1st Defendant):
Two years imprisonment on each of counts 1–6, to run concurrently, with a ₦1,000,000 fine option. - Boss Engineering Nigeria Ltd (2nd Defendant):
₦1,000,000 fine each on counts 1, 4, and 5. - Collins Ugwu (3rd Defendant):
Two years imprisonment on counts 1, 4, 5, and 6, to run concurrently, with an option of ₦1,000,000 fine. - Cosmas Okechukwu Eze (4th Defendant):
One year imprisonment on counts 1, 4, 5, and 6, to run concurrently, with an option of ₦500,000 fine.
According to ICPC, all defendants have paid their fines.
ICPC Commends Judiciary, Reaffirms Anti-Corruption Commitment
ICPC described the judgment as a “significant victory” in the ongoing fight against corruption in Nigeria’s public procurement sector.
The Commission emphasized that bribery, document falsification, and attempts to manipulate public procurement processes will continue to face strict legal consequences.
ICPC urged Nigerians, civil society groups, and the media to actively support anti-corruption efforts by reporting suspicious activities.
Original ICPC Press Release
INDEPENDENT CORRUPT PRACTICES AND OTHER RELATED OFFENCES COMMISSION (ICPC)
PRESS RELEASE — Wednesday 19th November, 2025
ICPC Secures Conviction of Contractor and Associates for Bribery, Forgery, and False Statements
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of four individuals and a company for conspiracy to offer bribes, payment of bribes, forgery, and making false statements to public officers.
The convicted persons are Kenneth Okezie Samuel (1st Defendant), Boss Engineering Nigeria Ltd (2nd Defendant), Collins Ugwu (3rd Defendant), and Cosmas Okechukwu Eze (4th Defendant).
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 contrary to the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2003.
The charges included conspiracy to offer bribe, payment of bribe, forgery, and making false statements to public officers, in violation of 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 Commission presented substantial evidence showing that the defendants conspired to offer a bribe of ₦6,000,000.00 to officials of the Federal Ministry of Works to facilitate the award of a contract.
The defendants also submitted a forged tax clearance certificate as part of the prequalification documents for Boss Engineering Nigeria Ltd. The ICPC prosecution team called seven witnesses and tendered several documentary exhibits in proof of the case.
After the adoption of final written addresses, the Court delivered its judgment on 14th July 2025, holding that the prosecution had proved all six counts beyond a reasonable doubt. Justice Otaluka ruled that the evidence established a deliberate scheme by the defendants to compromise the contract award process through bribery and document forgery.
The Court imposed the following penalties:
Kenneth Okezie Samuel (1st Defendant) was sentenced to two years imprisonment on each of Counts 1–6, to run concurrently, with an option of ₦1,000,000.00 fine. Boss Engineering Nigeria Ltd (2nd Defendant) was fined ₦1,000,000.00 each for Counts 1, 4, and 5. Collins Ugwu (3rd Defendant) received two years imprisonment on each of Counts 1, 4, 5, and 6, to run concurrently, with an option of ₦1,000,000.00 fine.
Cosmas Okechukwu Eze (4th Defendant) received one year imprisonment on each of Counts 1, 4, 5, and 6, to run concurrently, with an option of ₦500,000.00 fine. All defendants have since paid their fines.
The Commission views this judgment as a significant victory in the ongoing fight against corruption in Nigeria’s public procurement system. The case underscores that attempts to undermine integrity in contract award processes through bribery, falsification, or deceit will be met with the full weight of the law.
ICPC reaffirms its commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and integrity in engagements between public institutions and private entities.
The Commission commends the judiciary for its diligence and professionalism in adjudicating the matter and urges the public, civil society organizations, and the media to continue supporting the national anti-corruption effort by reporting suspicious activities through ICPC’s designated reporting channels.
Together, we can build a Nigeria where public contracts are awarded on merit and integrity prevails over corruption.
Signed
J. Okor Odey
Spokesperson for the Commission
