Former Commissioner of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM, Okechukwu Chukwulozie has been found guilty of involvement in a N10.4 million fraud and has therefore been sentenced to 15 years in prison by An Abuja High Court.
Chukwulozie’s trial began in 2007, when the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) charged him and his wife, Angela; and former Deputy Commissioner in charge of Finance and Administration, Adedolapo Ogungbe on 15 counts of the fraud.
In his judgment, Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi sentenced Chukwulozie to three years on each of the five counts but said they would run concurrently. This was after he said ICPC succeeded in proving all the ingredients of Section 19 of the ICPC Act against the accused.
“The ICPC has proved beyond reasonable doubt that a commissioner of NICON, Chukwulozie, demanded 50 per cent of fees paid to liquidators of Gateway Insurance Plc”, he said.
“Beyond reasonable doubt is the standard of evidence required to validate a criminal conviction. Generally the prosecution bears the burden of proof and is required to prove their case. The prosecution has presented to court evidence to support its charges against the convict. In this case, they have done so”.
Pronouncing the judgement, he said: “The court hereby sentences you to three years each on each of the five counts levelled against you, which will run concurrently”.
However, he discharged and acquitted the other two accused persons, saying ICPC failed to prove its case against them.
“The court discharges the second and third accused persons charged with aiding and abetting the crime”, he said.
