The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Mr. Netufo Olaniyi Alaba, the suspended Executive Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), and Mr. Hassan Arivi Saddiq, the Managing Director of Hassino Group Limited, over allegations of N15 million contract fraud.

The two appeared before Justice Celestine Obinna at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

Alaba, the first defendant, faces four counts, while Saddiq is charged with three counts, including accusations of corruption, bribery, and using public office for personal gain.

The charges relate to a fraudulent contract scheme allegedly involving the Federal Ministry of Power and other organizations. One of the charges against Alaba alleges that he received N15 million from Saddiq to facilitate contract awards to Hassino Group Limited.

The charge against Alaba reads: “Between September and October 2022, while serving as Executive Director of the REA, you used your office to confer a corrupt advantage upon yourself by receiving N15,000,000 from Hassan Arivi Saddiq to favour him in securing contract jobs at the Federal Ministry of Power and other organizations.”

Similarly, Saddiq is accused of bribing Alaba with N10 million to secure contracts. The charge states: “Between September and October 2022, while being the Managing Director of Hassino Group Limited, you corruptly gave N10,000,000 to Alaba to secure contracts at the Federal Ministry of Power and other organizations.”

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Their lawyers, Myson N. and S. Yusuf, applied for bail, arguing that their clients were not flight risks and could provide credible sureties. ICPC’s counsel, Abdulkareem Sulaiman, did not oppose bail but requested stringent conditions to avoid delays in the judicial process.

Justice Obinna granted bail to both defendants at N50 million each, with the condition that they provide a credible surety, a civil servant not below Grade Level 10, and a verifiable address within the FCT High Court’s jurisdiction.

The case was adjourned to April 4, 2025, for further hearing. This development follows the earlier indefinite suspension of Alaba and other senior REA officials in relation to a separate N1.2 billion fraud scandal.

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