From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
The Nigerian Police have arrested Mr. Jamilu Isa Yankwashi, a senior official of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), for alleged criminal conspiracy and impersonation of the President of the Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN), Chief Emmanuel Olabode.
The arrest was effected on Monday, May 26, 2025, at the FCDA Secretariat, 3rd Floor, Area 11, Abuja, by officers acting on the orders of the Inspector General of Police.
A warrant of arrest, numbered CR/392/25 and obtained by journalists, read:”In the Chief Magistrate 1 Court of Karu, Abuja, between the Inspector General of Police and Jamilu Isa Yankwashi. Warrant of arrest of person accused—to all police officers: Whereas Jamilu Yankwashi of FCT, Abuja, stands charged with the offence of criminal conspiracy and impersonation, you are hereby directed to arrest the said Jamilu Yankwashi, dated this 23rd day of May 2025.”
Registrar General of CIPMN, Mr. Henry Ifeanyi Mbadiwe, confirmed the arrest.
“Jamilu has been arrested by the office of the Inspector General of Police following a warrant issued and signed by a judge on Friday, May 23, 2025. He was arrested today, May 26, at the FCDA hall while attempting to commence a 5-day training and induction of supposed CIPMN members. The hall was largely empty,” Mbadiwe stated.
He added, “For years, Jamilu, a staff member of FCDA, has impersonated the President of CIPMN. He has repeatedly defrauded individuals by falsely claiming the authority to issue CIPMN licenses and collected public funds under this guise.”
According to Mbadiwe, Jamilu, alongside Mrs. Victoria Okoronkwo—the former Chairman of Council—continued to present themselves as executives of CIPMN despite the dissolution of the council by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
“He has made several false statements to law enforcement and misled government institutions, including the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, into believing he has legitimate authority over CIPMN. He has infiltrated offices such as the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Minister of Defence, and the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement,” Mbadiwe alleged.
He also revealed that Jamilu ignored multiple presidential directives establishing the current CIPMN Council and encouraged others to do the same.
“More disturbingly, he has been fraudulently channeling public funds into a private limited company account in Zenith Bank, which deceptively bears the name of the Institute but is not controlled by the legitimate Council,” he said.
Mbadiwe emphasized that the arrest demonstrates the inevitability of justice: “His arrest today proves that no one is above the law. CIPMN is a federal institution established by an Act of the National Assembly and cannot be hijacked for personal interest. This is a strong message to those who think nepotism or manipulation can shield them indefinitely—justice may be slow, but it is certain.”
The Institute called on the Inspector General of Police not to allow the Nigerian Police Force to be undermined by the suspect, urging law enforcement to pursue the matter to its legal conclusion for the benefit of all Nigerians.