The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission
(ICPC) has slammed the Deputy Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly,
Mr. Basil Ganagana, with 10 counts of allegedly defrauding the state
government. When the hearing came up for mentioning at the Delta High Court in Asaba,
however, the trial Judge, Justice Mabel Omovie, adjourned the matter to May 28
when she will rule on an application by the defendant to quash the charges. Mr. Ganagana, who was charged along with his wife, Joan Ganagana and his
brother, Thaddeus Ganagana, in case no A/ICPC/1C/2014, is alleged to have
used his office to confer corrupt advantage upon his relatives, contrary to and
punishable under Section 19 of the ICPC Act 2000. The charge sheet perused by SaharaReporters shows that Mr. Ganagana
allegedly nominated Thaddeus [for employment], leading to his engagement as
his political aide under the name of Thaddeus Ekpo while still an employee of the
Delta State Ministry of Education (Basic and Secondary), thereby receiving
salaries simultaneously from both organizations. He was also alleged to have retained his wife, Joan Amaebi Ganagana under a
falsified name, “Amaebi Okoro” as his legal assistant while she was still
employed by the Delta State Ministry of Justice, thereby leading to her receiving
salaries simultaneously from both organizations. The Deputy Speaker is also charged with obtaining money by means of an act
constituting a felony, contrary to Section 13 and punishable under Section 68 of
ICPC Act, 2000. Our correspondent reliably learned that several invitations extended by the anti-
graft agency to Mr. Ganagana were rebuffed, contrary to Section 28(1) (a) and
punishable under Section 28(10) of the ICPC Act, 2000, under which he is being
charged.