FCDA Official Arrested for Criminal Conspiracy, Impersonation of CIPMN President
The Nigerian Police Force has arrested a senior official of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Mr. Jamilu Isa Yankwashi, on charges of criminal conspiracy and impersonation of the President of the Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN), Chief Emmanuel Olabode.
The arrest was executed in the early hours of Monday, May 26, 2025, at the 3rd-floor conference hall of the FCDA Secretariat in Area 11, Abuja. Officers from the Office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) carried out the operation based on a warrant of arrest issued by the Chief Magistrate Court 1, Karu, Abuja.
The warrant, identified as CR/392/25, directed law enforcement to apprehend Mr. Yankwashi for allegedly impersonating the leadership of CIPMN and engaging in fraudulent activities.
Mr. Henry Ifeanyi Mbadiwe, Registrar General of CIPMN, confirmed the arrest. He stated, “Jamilu was apprehended while attempting to conduct an unauthorized five-day training and induction exercise for purported CIPMN members. The event was poorly attended and did not have the Institute’s endorsement.”
According to CIPMN, Mr. Yankwashi, a serving FCDA staff member, has allegedly posed as the President of the Institute for years, misrepresenting himself to the public and collecting funds under false pretenses. The Institute said he falsely claimed the authority to issue professional licenses and had defied several federal directives, including the dissolution of the former CIPMN Council by then-President Muhammadu Buhari.
Mr. Mbadiwe further alleged that Yankwashi, in collaboration with the former Council Chairperson Mrs. Victoria Okoronkwo, misled several government institutions, including the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, the Bureau of Public Procurement, and high-ranking offices within the National Assembly and Defence Ministry.
He also accused Yankwashi of operating a Zenith Bank account under a private limited company bearing the Institute’s name, through which he reportedly diverted public funds.
“This arrest sends a strong message: no one is above the law. Those who exploit federal institutions for personal gain will eventually face justice,” Mr. Mbadiwe emphasized.
CIPMN has called on the IGP to pursue the case to its legal conclusion and ensure that the suspect is held accountable, warning against any attempts to undermine the integrity of the Nigerian Police Force or the rule of law.
Investigations into the matter are ongoing, and the suspect is currently in police custody at Force Headquarters, Abuja.
