ICPC Quizzes AFN Secretary General Over Alleged $130, 000 IAAF Fraud

Hamilton Nwosa
Writer

Ad

DSS Invites Dangote, NUPENG Reps Over Alleged Breach of Pact

By Abiola Olawale The Department of State Services (DSS) has again invited representatives from the Dangote Group and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to a meeting over allegations of breaching a recently brokered peace agreement. It was gathered that the meeting has been scheduled to be held on Friday and…

Suspected killer of Charlie Kirk confessed to his father before arrest, Says CNN

By Obinna Uballa A suspect in the killing of conservative activist in the United States, Charlie Kirk is now in custody after allegedly confessing to his father that he carried out the shooting, CNN reported a while ago. According to CNN, the man’s father informed authorities of the confession and kept his son secured until…

Anambra Guber: Ekwunife accuses Soludo’s wife of infidelity as crisis escalates

• Ekuwunife: "Soludo's wife "slept with Mbadinuju..I've proof." • Soludo's wife: "I never met Mbadinuju. I won't dignify her with a response. " By Obinna Uballa The Anambra governorship race has descended into one of the most vicious personal battles, as Senator Uche Ekwunife, the All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate, doubled down on…

Ad

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has quizzed the Secretary-General of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Mr. Amaechi Akawu over allegations of misappropriation of $130, 000 belonging to the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF).

It said IAAF in March 2017 gave AFN about $20,000 grant to host a Grand Prix Competition in Delta State but it mistakenly credited the account with $150,000.

But instead of refunding the $130,000 to IAAF, the AFN Secretary-General said the whole cash was spent on the competition.

A statement by the Spokesperson for ICPC, Mrs. Rasheedat A. Okoduwa (mni) said AFN was yet to refund the $130,000 to IAAF.

The statement said: “Akawu was detained on Tuesday 22nd October, 2019 following his arrest and was subsequently released on administrative bail the next day, to enable him submit some vital documents that were requested by investigators handling the case.

“ICPC had received a petition alleging that he had failed to account for $130, 000 mistakenly paid into the account of AFN in 2017 by IAAF.

“IAAF had in a letter to AFN in March 2017, volunteered to grant $20, 000 to the federation towards the successful hosting of the CAA Grand Prix Competition in Delta State, popularly known as 2017 Warri Relay Competition.

“However, the international body for athletics while fulfilling the pledge, mistakenly paid $150, 000 to AFN in May, 2017, a sum which was far in excess of the $20, 000 grants it had earlier pledged.

“IAAF quickly wrote to its Nigerian counterpart two months after the payment admitting the mistake and promptly requested that the $130, 000 excess be returned forthwith.

“AFN is yet to refund the excess fund with Akawu as the Secretary General, claiming that the entire $130, 000 was spent on hosting the competition that held in July, 2017.”

ICPC also explained while it has decided to Akawu accountable over the $130,000.

The statement added: “Details available to the Commission have revealed several transactions on the account which were originated by the Secretary General moments after the payment of the money.

“ICPC found out that Akawu, acting without AFN Board, got several approvals for the release of the money through a series of letters to the then Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung.

“On different occasions, he requested for and got approval for the release of N30.4 million, N4.9 million and $20, 000 all in the month of July, 2017 as expenses for the competition.

“He also requested for N9.5 million in the same period, but N5 million was approved by the then Permanent Secretary.

“Akawu is yet to furnish the Commission with the evidence of the expenditures, telling investigators that he had submitted all the documents relating to how the $130, 000 was spent by AFN to the registry in the office of the Minister.”

Ad

Unlocking Opportunities in the Gulf of Guinea during UNGA80
X whatsapp