The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested the immediate past Director-General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Alhaji Bature Masari.

Spokesperson of the Commission, Mrs Rasheedat Okoduwa said in a statement on Thursday that Masari was arrested over alleged fraud in the award of contracts while he was in office.

The former DG, according to Okoduwa, was quizzed by the Commission for his alleged role in fraudulent awards of specialised entrepreneurship contracts.

Okoduwa alleged that the suspect awarded the contracts to his cronies who were neither professionals nor qualified to execute the projects.

She said Masari was also alleged to have demanded and received kickbacks from contractors.

“He is also accused of using his position for personal advantage.

“ICPC, acting on a petition it received against the former SMEDAN DG, arrested him for questioning but has released him on administrative bail,” she said. (NAN)