Former Nigerian High Commissioner to Namibia sacked over financial misappropriation, recommended for trial by ICPC

Lilian Onoh, a former Nigerian High Commissioner to Namibia and former Chargé d’Affaires to Jamaica, has been dismissed by the Federal Civil Service Commission due to her alleged misappropriation of funds totaling N50 million.

An investigation by a seven-man committee, which included a member of the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, found Onoh guilty of illegally diverting funds meant for the day-to-day operation of the Nigerian mission in Namibia.

She was asked to refund various amounts, including $45,539.11 (about N19 million), $70,448 (about N30 million), and N614,000, and was summarily dismissed by the Disciplinary Committee of the commission after being found guilty of serious misconduct.

The committee also directed that she should be handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) for further investigation. Onoh was accused of other infractions, such as absence from duty without leave and refusal to take/carry out lawful instructions. Despite being suspended in 2021, her dismissal was ratified after a meeting of the committee.