A top official of the Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, Jamilu Isa Yankwashi, has been arrested by the Nigerian police 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 carried out at the early hours of Monday 26th May 2025 at the FCDA secretariat’s 3rd floor conference hall in area 11, Abuja by police personnel from the office of the Inspector General of Police.

A warrant of arrest with number CR/392/25 sighted by journalists read“ In the chief magistrate 1, court of karu Abuja between Inspector General of police and Jamilu Isah Yankwashi.

“Warrant of arrest of person accused to all police officers, whereas Jamilu Yankwashi of FCT Abuja stand charge with offence of criminal conspiracy and impersonation.

“You are hereby directed to arrest the said Jamilu Yankwashi dated this 23rd day of May 2025

The Registrar General, Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN) Mr Henry Ifeanyi Mbadiwe confirmed the arrest.

“Jamilu has been arrested by the office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP). A warrant of arrest was initiated by the police and signed by a judge on Friday, 23rd May 2025.

“Today, the 26th of May 2025, Jamilu was arrested by the police at the hall of FCDA, where he was attempting to commence a 5-day training and induction of CIPMN members, though the hall was scanty.

“The IGP arrested him on the count of Criminal Conspiracy and Impersonation. He is currently being held at the Police HQ.

“For years Jamilu who is a staff of FCDA has impersonated the office of the President of CIPMN and has on multiple occasions collected public funds through deceptive means, claiming to have the authority to issue CIPMN licenses.

Jamilu Isa Yankwashi, alongside the Former Chairman of Council Mrs Victoria Okoronkwo, who were part of the CIPMN Council dissolved by then Mr. President Muhammadu Buhari, have continued to parade themselves as officers of the Institute, deceiving the Nigerian public.

“He has also made false statements to the police in order to try to disrupt the activities of the CIPMN’s legitimately elected and appointed council members, and successfully deceived the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment into thinking he has a legitimate claim to the leadership of CIPMN.

“Jamilu Isa Yankashi has penitrated the office of the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Minister of the Defence, and even the DG of the Bearu of Public Procurement before his arrest by the police.

“He has also proceeded on numerous counts to ignore and ridicule the Presidential order, which established the current Council of the Institute and encouraging others to do so.

“Jamilu has also been fraudulently collecting public funds into a Limited company account in Zenith Bank not operated by the council but carries the name of the Institute.

“His arrest today shows that the law will always catch up with those who believe that they have the power to break it with no consequence, those who think that a federal institution such as CIPMN established by an Act of the National Assembly can be cornered as personal property, those who believe that by nepotism they can continue to have their way, today is a clear sign that eventually, the hand of the law though slow will always catch up,” he said.