For receiving double salaries, a Lagos State civil servant, Mr. Emmanuel Ogunyemi, was sentenced to pay a fine of ₦1,500,000 on Tuesday.
He was also required to execute a good behaviour bond valued at ₦5,000,000, which would be forfeited in the event of any future misconduct.
He was sentenced by Justice Ismail Ijelu of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, after he pleaded guilty to an amended three-count charges brought against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC for receiving double salaries.
According to the Commission, the act contravenes the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.
ICPC stated that his actions resulted in the illegal accumulation of ₦3,491,874.90 in unearned payments.
The ICPC secured his conviction following a detailed investigation found to be in gross violation of anti-corruption laws.
According to the ICPC’s Lead Prosecution team, Mrs. Yvonne William-Mbata, the Commission uncovered that Mr. Ogunyemi had been simultaneously drawing salaries from two separate government entities, that is, the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, and the Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area, LCDA.
Mr. Ogunyemi was initially charged with eight counts of corrupt practices under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.
The case was filed before the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja under Charge No: ID/25541C/2024, following necessary administrative approvals for prosecution.
Subsequently, the defendant entered into a plea bargain agreement with the prosecution.
The agreement allowed him to avoid a custodial sentence under the condition that he fulfill specified terms.
Before the court proceedings, Mr. Ogunyemi had voluntarily refunded the full amount of ₦3,491,874.90, identified as proceeds of crime, into the ICPC’s designated recovery account, and the court subsequently ordered the forfeiture of this sum to the Federal Government.
Following his arraignment, the defendant admitted guilt to the amended charges, and the court formally convicted him.
In lieu of imprisonment, the court imposed the agreed non-custodial sanctions, reinforcing the Commission’s preference for alternative sentencing where appropriate and restorative actions have been taken.
Mr. Ogunyemi also submitted a written undertaking to the ICPC, pledging to maintain lawful conduct.
Others in the ICPC’s Prosecution team for the case were Mrs. Roseline Eze and Mrs. Oluwayemisi Pereira, while Mr. Kehinde Adeleke represented the defendant.
Justice Ijelu further ordered the convict to complete three days of community service, as directed by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice’s Community Service Officers.
