FG files 90-counts criminal charge against Peace Corps

The Federal Government yesterday in Abuja filed a 90 count criminal charge against the Commandant of the Peace Corps, Dickson Akor and the Incorporated Trustees of Peace Corps of Nigeria (ITPCN).

The case against the defendants was signed by Aka Alilu, an Assistant Chief State Counsel in the Federal Ministry of Justice and borders on extortion, money laundering and obtaining money by false pretence.

The case was filed by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) through the office of the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF).

The prosecution alleged that the defendants while operating as a non-profit making organization unlawfully engaged in the business of providing security services under a recruitment scheme which involved quasi-military training without approval.

Dickson Akor was alleged to have obtained huge sums of money by false pretence and laundered proceeds of extortion from unsuspecting citizens of Nigeria moving same from the ITPCN account to his personal account.

Already ten witnesses, including members of the Peace Corps and investigators have indicated that they will testify against the defendants.

One of the counts reads: That you Dickson Akor and ITPCN both of the Peace corps of Nigeria Headquarters, Jabi, Abuja, on or about the 23rd day of February, 2016, at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court did commit an offence to wit: conversion of the sum of N3, 570, 000:00 belonging to the Peace Corps of Nigeria being money derived directly from extortion with the aim of concealing or disguising the illicit origin of the money.

The Nigeria Police Force had earlier arrested Mr Dickson Akor and 46 members of the Peace Corps of Nigeria in Abuja on Feb. 28 before they were released on administrative bail.

The National Assembly had also passed the bill seeking to legalise the corps and awaiting the assent by President Muhammadu Buhari.