Deputy Director Faces Forgery Charges
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Mr. Yusuf Mustapha, a Deputy Director with the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja. The arraignment, which took place on Tuesday, stems from allegations of certificate forgery and related offences.
Mustapha was presented before Justice S.U. Bature on a three-count charge. These charges include forgery, fraudulent presentation of forged documents, and making false statements to ICPC investigators.
Details of the Allegation
According to statements from ICPC spokesperson John Odey, investigations revealed discrepancies in the academic certificate submitted by the defendant. Mustapha allegedly claimed to have graduated from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, Second Class Honours (Lower Division). This qualification was reportedly used to secure his employment with the NIPC on May 5, 2010.
However, responses from Ahmadu Bello University indicated that the certificate was not issued by the institution. Further documents, including graduation lists and Mustapha's academic transcript, allegedly confirmed that he graduated with a Third-Class degree, contrary to the Second-Class degree certificate he presented. The ICPC further alleged that the Second-Class degree certificate and accompanying statement of result submitted were forged and materially different from the genuine Third-Class degree certificate issued by ABU.
Legal Proceedings and Bail
The charges against Mustapha are contrary to:
- Sections 363, 364, and 366 of the Penal Code Laws of the Federation, pertaining to forgery and fraudulent presentation of documents.
- Section 25(1)(a) and punishable under Section 25(1)(b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, for making false statements to an ICPC officer.
Mustapha pleaded not guilty to all three counts. Following his plea, the prosecuting counsel, David Nwaze, requested a trial date. The defense counsel, Denen Kya, informed the court of a pending bail application. After hearing arguments from both parties, the court granted Mustapha bail in the sum of ₦10 million with one surety residing within the court's jurisdiction. The trial has been adjourned to May 5, 2026.
5 Comments
Michelangelo
The issue of certificate forgery is a serious one that undermines meritocracy and public confidence in institutions. But we should also consider the systemic pressures or lack of opportunities that might push individuals to such acts, rather than just focusing on individual culpability.
Raphael
Another witch hunt? Innocent until proven guilty, let's not jump to conclusions.
Michelangelo
Good job, ICPC! No room for fakers in public office.
Raphael
Holding public officials to account for their qualifications is important for national development and trust. However, the lengthy legal process and high bail amount could be seen as disproportionate if the alleged misrepresentation didn't directly impact his job performance or capabilities.
Michelangelo
It's good to see the ICPC actively pursuing cases of alleged fraud, as this is vital for maintaining standards in government. Yet, the focus on a certificate from 2010 makes one wonder about the priorities when more recent and impactful corruption cases often go unaddressed.