Peace Corps National Commandant, one other in Court over alleged N60 million fraud

Peace Corps National Commandant, one other in Court over alleged N60 million fraud

Peace Corps National Commandant, one other in Court over alleged N60 million fraud

The National Commandant of the Nigeria Peace Corps, Dickson Akoh, has been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of fraud involving N60 million.

Akoh appeared in court alongside the Corps’ Director of Finance, Omolala Aminat Ahmed, before Justice H. B. Yusuf of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja.

For several years, Akoh has been at the forefront of initiatives to engage youth in meaningful enterprises, particularly in securing schools across Nigeria. He has also been advocating for formal legal backing for the Peace Corps, urging the National Assembly to pass legislation to solidify the organization’s establishment.

According to a statement issued by the EFCC on Friday morning, both Akoh and Ahmed were arraigned on a two-count charge relating to the alleged criminal misappropriation of funds allocated to the Corps.

The anti-graft agency added that the defendants, presented in court by the EFCC’s Abuja Zonal Directorate, “pleaded not guilty” to all charges.

Charge one read: “That you, Dickson Akon and Omolola Aminat Ahmed in the year 2024 at Abuja, FCT, within the jurisdiction of this honorable court did agree among yourselves to do an illegal act, to wit criminal misappropriation and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 96 of the penal code laws of the FCT.”

Count two read: “That you, Dickson Akon and Omolola Aminat Ahmed in the year 2024 at Abuja, FCT, within the jurisdiction of this honorable court did agree among yourselves and dishonestly converted to your personal use the sum of N46,000,000.00 (Forty Six Million Naira only) out of the sum of N60.000.000.00, (Sixty Million Naira, only) meant for the execution of contract for the supply of badges.

The statement signed by the EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, further read, “In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel, Khalid Sanusi, asked the court for a date for the commencement of the trial.

“Justice Yusuf adjourned the matter till February 25, 2026, and granted the defendants bail in the sum of ₦5 million (Five Million Naira only) with one surety each in like sum. The sureties must be of a reputable character and must be resident in Abuja.”