Former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Jibrin Usman (retd.), and Brigadier-General Ishaya Bauka (retd.) are still being wanted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission for their alleged involvement in a N3 billion fraud.
The Commission’s spokesperson, Demola Bakare, stated this on Friday, adding that the ICPC dismissed claims that the duo had been exonerated following the amendment of charges against them.
Bakare said the charges were amended and never withdrawn, labelling the two former military officers as fugitives.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the charges against them were only amended, not withdrawn. Any claim that the amended charges exonerated them is fallacious and should be disregarded,” the statement read.
Bakare also said there exists arrest warrants for Usman and Bauka, and urged the public to assist law enforcement in apprehending them.
“Whoever sees them could assist in bringing them to justice,” Bakare added.
The commission said when prosecuting, it often amended charges to proceed against defendants already in custody while keeping the case open for those evading arrest.
Both men were initially charged alongside five others in an original charge dated and filed on April 17, 2023.
Bakare said the charges were served through their legal representatives, yet they failed to present themselves for arraignment, leading to the issuance of a bench warrant for their arrest.
“On February 4, 2025, one of the co-defendants, Adam Imam Yusuf, was arrested at his residence in Gwagwalada, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. However, Usman and Bauka remain at large,” he added.
Bakare reassured the public that efforts to arrest the two fugitive ex-military officers were ongoing and that once apprehended, they would be prosecuted.
“The public is hereby assured that if they are arrested today, the ongoing charges will be amended to accommodate the allegations initially filed against them,” Bakare stated.
