NBC Boss, Kawu Modibbo, to appear before ICPC today in fresh corruption probe

By Mumini AbdulKareem

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is investigating embattled Director-General of Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Ishaq Modibbo Kawu for a fresh corruption probe.
Kawu, who is still being prosecuted over his role in an alleged N2.5billion fraud in the Digital Switch Over (DSO) by the anti-graft commission will appear before the ICPC today after he was quizzed for over five hours last week over the latest development.
He however refused to comment on the issue on Sunday when this reporter sought his response. Calls and text message where neither picked nor answered.
The anti-graft agency on Thursday reportedly grilled Modibbo Kawu for his alleged roles in the new scandal.
Sources at the ICPC according to a report by an online news medium, confirmed that Kawu was at the commission for over five hours from about 10 am during which period he was questioned by investigators.
The paper quoting one of its sources said the embattled NBC boss is being investigated for allegedly giving broadcast licenses to a company he has interest in. Kawu was eventually granted bail after the questioning.
“He claimed he did no wrong by awarding his company multiple licenses,” the paper quoted another source at the commission adding that, “He has been told to report back on Monday the 15th (today).”
The report said when contacted, the ICPC spokesperson, Raheedat Okoduwa, on Friday, confirmed the new development.
“She said the NBC boss was invited for questioning and was released on administrative bail.
Mrs Okoduwa reportedly said the ICPC is investigating something else different from his ongoing trial in court. She however declined to disclose the subject of the allegation.
“I can confirm he was here yesterday (Thursday) and he was asked to come back on Monday, she said.
“But he was invited on something different from what is in court. I am not at liberty to tell you the subject of the investigation,” the paper further quoted her.
Recall that the agency in February filed a 12-count charge before Justice Folashade Ogunbanjo-Giwa, against Mr Kawu, Lucky Omoluwa and Dipo Onifade, the Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of Pinnacle Communications Limited respectively, for allegedly misappropriating N2.5 billion.
The allegations also roped in a former information minister, Lai Mohammed.
Mohammed had admitted in a report in April that he did not follow due diligence before signing off on a controversial N2.5 billion payment to a private digital broadcast signal distributor. The ICPC charged Kawu for allegedly ‘deceiving’ Mohammed to sign the deal.
The ICPC also said the former minister would only appear as a witness, effectively excluding him from the alleged crime.
Kawu appeared before the Federal High Court, Abuja in May. He was granted bail by the judge.