°° She may be recalled
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is investigating the activities of the Nigerian Ambassador to Greece, Nimi Akinkugbe.
Akinkugbe, according to a source, is being investigated by the ICPC for criminal conspiracy and fraudulent diversion of public funds to the tune of over 128,000 euros.
The notice of invitation sighted by Daily Sun, and signed by the acting Divisional Head, Investigation Division, ICPC, Mr. Olatunji Jabaru, showed that Akinkugbe, was invited to appear before the ICPC on November 10, 2022.
The notice which was sent on October 27, 2022, read: “The Commission is investigating a case of alleged violation of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000,and pursuant to section 28 of the Act. The Ministry is required to recall Ambassador (Mrs.) Opunimi Akinkugbe, (Head of Mission, Embassy of Nigeria, Athens, Greece, to appear before the undersigned at the Investigation Division, ICPC Headquarters, Abuja, on Wednesday 16th November, 2022 at 10am.
“The Ambassador is required to appear with bank statements of all her local and foreign accounts from January 2021 to date.”
The source who further confirmed the development, said Akinkugbe, was invited to the ICPC office in Abuja, on November 16, 2022, and December 6, 2022 respectively and she made appearances there.
The source added that the accounting officials of the Embassy were also invited.
Akinkugbe, is being investigated for collecting allowances for four domestic aides since June 2021, when she only has one resident with her in Greece.
“The monthly salary for each domestic servant is 1,350 euros.
“There is also investigations into the amount she pays the only domestic aide she has in Athens, which is suspected to be less than 800 euros monthly, as against 1,350 euros. She did not enlist the domestic staff on the Embassy payroll which would have allowed for direct payment.
“She is also being investigated for fraudulent diversion of public funds, for payments made to an offshore account – Maybank, under the pretext of rent payments. Monthly payments of 8,000 euros since November 2021.
“Other matters of maladministration, and irregularities in payments of some allowances are also being investigated,”
As at the time of filing this report, the final investigative report on the matter is being concluded by the ICPC, where the findings of the investigations will be compiled.
When contacted at 8:34am via WhatsApp yesterday, Akinkugbe told our correspondent to send a text.
However, Akinkugbe did not respond to questions sent to her at 9:59am.
