By Vivian Daniel
In its effort to reform Nigeria’s procurement system, where public contracts are awarded on merit, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has recorded another major win in the overall nation’s fight against corruption, securing the conviction of four individuals and a company involved in a bribery and document-forgery scheme targeting a federal government contract.
The convicted parties are: Kenneth Okezie Samuel, Boss Engineering Nigeria Ltd, Collins Ugwu, and Cosmas Okechukwu Eze, who were found guilty by Justice A. O. Otaluka of the FCT High Court, Apo, after facing a six-count charge filed by the Commission.
The offences ranged from conspiracy to offer bribes and payment of bribes to forgery and making false statements to public officers.
Evidence presented by the ICPC showed that the defendants attempted to influence officials of the Federal Ministry of Works with a ₦6 million bribe in a bid to manipulate a contract award. Investigators also uncovered the submission of a forged tax clearance certificate by the company, Boss Engineering Nigeria Ltd, as part of its prequalification documents.
After calling seven witnesses and tendering multiple exhibits, the Commission convinced the Court that the defendants were involved in a coordinated effort to subvert due process. In its judgment delivered on 14th July 2025, the Court ruled that the prosecution had “proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt,” describing the acts of the defendants as a calculated attempt “to compromise the integrity of the contract award process.”
The sentences handed down included two years imprisonment for Samuel on each of the six counts (with an option of ₦1 million fine), ₦1 million fines for Boss Engineering on three counts, two years imprisonment for Ugwu on four counts (with an option of ₦1 million fine), and one year imprisonment for Eze on four counts (with an option of ₦500,000 fine). All fines have since been paid.
The ICPC welcomed the ruling as further proof that corruption in the public procurement system will not go unpunished.
“This judgment sends a strong message that bribery, falsification of documents, and any attempt to manipulate public processes will face the full force of the law,” the Commission stated.
Reiterating its commitment to strengthening transparency and accountability across public institutions, the ICPC also expressed appreciation to the judiciary for what it described as a “professional and diligent” adjudication.
The Commission urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue reporting suspicious activities through its designated channels, noting that “a corruption-free public procurement system is critical to building the Nigeria we all desire.”
