The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission have detained the acting Director-General of the National Biotechnology Development Agency, Prof. Alex Akpa, for allegedly defrauding the Federal Government of N400m.
The commission disclosed that the money, which the DG claimed to be an intervention fund for the biotechnology agency, was allegedly diverted into private pockets.
Akpa, a professor of Microbiology and Biotechnology, allegedly shared the money with some top management staff of the agency.
This was contained in a statement on Wednesday, titled, ‘Microbiology professor in ICPC net over N400m fraud.’
The ICPC spokesperson, Mrs Azuka Ogugua, said Akpa was arrested by operatives to answer questions on “how the said amount belonging to the government could disappear under his watch.”
The statement read, “His actions are contrary to and punishable under sections 19 and 26 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
“Further investigations into the acting DG’s alleged fraudulent activities are still ongoing and the commission will take appropriate action once they are concluded.”
Akpa is also facing charges on conspiracy and abuse of office.