The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Yusuf Mustapha, a deputy director at the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), over allegations of forgery.
Mustapha was arraigned on Tuesday before Samira Bature,
judge of a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court in Maitama on a
three-count charge bordering on forgery, fraudulent presentation of forged
documents, and making false statements to ICPC investigators.
According to the anti-graft agency, its investigation
uncovered discrepancies in the academic certificate submitted by the defendant.
The ICPC alleged that Mustapha claimed to have graduated
from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in
business administration (second class lower), which he reportedly used to
secure employment with the NIPC on May 5, 2010.
However, the commission said responses from ABU indicated
that the certificate was not issued by the institution.
The ICPC added that documents obtained from the university,
including graduation lists and the defendant’s academic transcript, showed that
Mustapha graduated with a third-class degree, contrary to the second-class
degree certificate presented at the point of employment.
The ICPC further alleged that the second-class degree
certificate and accompanying statement of result submitted by the defendant
were forged and materially different from the genuine third-class degree
certificate issued by ABU.
The charges include forgery contrary to section 363 and
punishable under section 364 of the Penal Code Laws of the Federation;
fraudulent presentation of forged documents contrary to section 366 and
punishable under section 364 of the same law; and making false statements to an
ICPC officer contrary to section 25(1)(a) and punishable under section 25(1)(b)
of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Mustapha pleaded not guilty to all three counts.
Following his plea, David Nwaze, counsel to the prosecution,
applied for a date for commencement of trial, while Denen Kya, counsel to the
defendant, told the court that a motion on notice seeking bail had been filed
and urged the court to grant bail on liberal terms.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the court granted
the defendant bail in the sum of N10 million with one surety resident within
the court’s jurisdiction.
The case was adjourned to May 5, 2026, for commencement of
trial.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com