The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has declared one Mr. Joseph Tony Ogah, 38, a staff of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, wanted for defrauding the Federal Government to the tune of N36.2 million.

Report has it that the Commissioner, Public Enlightenment of the ICPC, Mrs Rasheedat Okoduwa confirmed that the suspect who was part of a crime syndicate that defrauded the Federal Ministry of Environment, had absconded from his place of work since July, when he got the squall that the commission was after him.

Okoduwa in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja maintained that, “Preliminary findings by ICPC revealed that the syndicate used a company called Soft Alliance Disco, Limited to pay huge salary arrears, totaling N36, 194, 636.00 to fictitious staff on the payment platform of the Ministry of Environment.

“Ogah, an indigene of Idah, Kogi State, had allegedly participated with the others that perpetrated and benefited from the fraud with N9.4 million, paid into his account with the United Bank for Africa (UBA). A statement of accounts obtained from UBA revealed that the money was drawn from the Ministry of Environment and paid into the account (1006521816) belonging to Ogah.”

Okoduwa also confirmed that, “the Commission, upon the findings, requested Mr. Ogah to appear before it and answer questions regarding the transfer of money from another Ministry into his account, but he failed to do so.”

According to reports, the dark-complexioned suspect is last known with his residential address at Road 121, House 24, Gwarinpa Housing Estate, Abuja.

“The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture was requested on several occasions through letters to compel him to appear before ICPC but responses to the letters show that Ogah has absconded from his duty post for over three months now.”

The Commissioner further explained that it was necessary to declare Ogah wanted. In this light, she wishes to urge the general public to assist the government in apprehending him, adding that the commission is poised to rid the country of corruption.

“However, the Ministry, in response to the allegation and his failure to report to work, has stopped the payment of his salary and other entitlements since July 2015.

“Ogah is currently at large; this has prompted the Commission to declare him wanted for fraud,” Okoduwa added.