ICPC Arraigns Ex-ARMTI Finance Director Over Alleged ₦48m Contract Fraud

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned a former Director of Finance and Supply at the Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI), Ilorin, Kwara State, Ibitoye Olajide Moses, over alleged multi-million naira contract fraud and abuse of office. 

Moses was docked before Justice H.A. Saleeman of the Kwara State High Court on a 24-count charge bordering on conferring unfair advantage, acquisition of private interests in public contracts, misappropriation of funds, and making false statements to investigators.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Following his plea, defence counsel, Oluwasheye Adeboye, applied for bail, which was not opposed by the prosecution counsel, David Nwaze. The court subsequently granted bail in the sum of ₦5 million with two sureties resident within the court’s jurisdiction, one of whom must possess landed property.

The court adjourned the matter until May 26, 2026, for the commencement of trial.

According to the ICPC, investigations revealed that the defendant allegedly used his position to influence the award of several contracts worth tens of millions of naira to companies in which he had vested interests.

Among the allegations is a ₦48.52 million contract for entrepreneurship training on oil palm production for women in Akwa Ibom State, awarded to Magic Touch Business Solutions Ltd, a company in which Moses is said to be a director and shareholder.

He is also accused of benefiting from a ₦29.95 million contract for dry season farming training and a ₦40 million contract for youth and women empowerment in agricultural value chains, both allegedly awarded to the same firm.

In another instance, the defendant was said to have derived an indirect benefit of ₦550,000 from a ₦28.85 million contract awarded to Synergy Impact Consulting Ltd.

The charges further listed several other contracts valued at ₦15.8 million, ₦14.96 million, ₦10 million, and ₦19.83 million, among others, allegedly influenced by the defendant in favour of affiliated companies.

Additionally, the ICPC alleged that Moses misappropriated ₦3 million collected as administrative charges on contracts awarded by ARMTI.

The Commission also accused him of maintaining active involvement in Magic Touch Business Solutions Ltd while still in public service, alongside his wife, who is reportedly a director and signatory to the company’s accounts.

He was further alleged to have made false statements to investigators by denying any links to the companies under probe, claims the prosecution said were contradicted by documentary evidence.

The prosecution is expected to call witnesses and tender exhibits to substantiate the allegations when trial begins.