The Federal Capital Territory High Court has convicted a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Onamusi Onadeko, over allegations arising from the award and execution of constituency projects worth N68.7 million.
Justice Chizoba Oji, in a judgment delivered on July 30, 2026, sentenced Onadeko to nine months’ imprisonment with an option of a N50,000 fine.
Onadeko, who represented Ogun East Federal Constituency from 1999 to 2003, was prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in an 11-count amended charge filed in 2017.
In a statement by the Head, Media and Public Communications, ICPC J. Okor Odey , the commission alleged that while serving as a Senior Legislative Aide to the late Senator Buruji Kashamu, Onadeko used his private companies, Stanton Engineering Limited and Haines and Baines Limited, to execute constituency projects.
The projects included the purchase of ambulances, supply of hospital equipment and drugs to Primary Health Centres, and construction of classrooms in selected schools across six communities in Ogun East Senatorial District.
The ICPC alleged that Onadeko was a Managing Director of Stanton Engineering Limited and a nominal Director of Haines and Baines Limited while serving as a legislative aide, contrary to Sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The Commission also accused him of making contradictory statements about his position in Haines and Baines Limited, an offence under Section 25(1)(b) of the ICPC Act.
During the trial, Onadeko’s counsel, Wahab Olatoyebi, argued that his client was not a public officer because his appointment as a Senior Legislative Aide was temporary and non-pensionable.
Justice Oji rejected the argument, relying on Onadeko’s letter of appointment and the Supreme Court’s decision in Federal Government of Nigeria v. Farouk Lawan.
The court held that legislative aides are public officers and can therefore be prosecuted under the relevant provisions of the ICPC Act.
Onadeko was found guilty on Count 11 for making inconsistent statements but discharged and acquitted on Counts 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.
The ICPC said the judgment affirms that Personal Assistants, Special Assistants, Senior Special Assistants, Legislative Aides, Senior Legislative Aides and other similar appointees who receive salaries, allowances or other emoluments from public funds qualify as public officers under the ICPC Act.
The Commission added that the status applies regardless of whether such appointments are temporary, fixed-term or non-pensionable.