Former-Customs CG, Abdullahi Dikko, dead

Abdullahi Dikko, the immediate past Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, who led the NCS from 2009 to 2015, has died after a protracted illness, TopNaija reports.

The former customs boss had been facing a probe by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as well as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.

Last year, a Federal High Court in Abuja lampooned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over Dikko’s trial.

Abdullahi Dikko with President Buhari

The ICPC was prosecuting Dikko and two others for alleged N1.1billion corrupt practice.

Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu declared that the ICPC was not serious in handling of the matter.

Aside Dikko, other defendants are Garba Makarfi, ex-Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs (Finance, Administration and Technical Services) and Umar Hussaini, a lawyer and owner of Capital Law.

The trio, were among others, accused of asking the Managing Director of Cambial Limited, Yemi Obadeyi, to pay N1.1billion into the account of Capital Law Office.

The money is alleged to be a refundable “completion security deposit” for the purchase of 120 units of duplexes as residential accommodation for officers of the NCS.