Reports gathered by Info Trust clearly shows that the nouveau riche civil servants ahead of the ICPC probe and fear of been exposed has started selling their choice houses and state-of-the-art automobiles.
The rush to dispose off these properties may not be unconnected to the report in the media that ICPC has confiscated some buildings said to have been owned by public servants whose earnings are said not to support ownership of such grand structures. Many estate agents has now become civil servants bosom friends in Abuja so as to aid quick disposal of the properties.
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A top civil servant that spoke to Info Trust on condition of anonymity disclosed that there is an increase of about forty per cent within July and August in the sales of property within FCT alone and this is clearly unlike before.
He said, “It is obvious that the recent increase in the sales of property is as a result of the probes currently on-going. The beaming of ICPC searchlight on civil servants is good. Imagine the report whereby the agency seized 24 landed properties from three officers of NDDC.
“I wondered what will eventually be recovered at the end of the probe if just a ministry and only three officers can have such that is retrieved due to excessive of their emoluments,” he said.
The commission also explained that the properties were seized in pursuant to Section 45 (4) a – (b) of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act 2000.
The ICPC had, among others, said, “Whereas the commission is investigating a matter involving some staff of the Niger Delta ministry, wherein certain movable and immovable properties owned by the said staff are in issue. And whereas the commission is of the opinion based on the aforementioned investigation that these movable and immovable properties owned by these people who are staff of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs are excessive, having regard to their present emoluments and all other relevant circumstances.
