By Nkechi Eze
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in Apo, Abuja, has ordered the remand of an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr. Jubrin Buba, at the Kuje Custodial Centre over allegations of forgery and false statements brought against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
In a statement signed by the Commission’s spokesperson, Demola Bakare, the ICPC disclosed that Mr. Buba is standing trial for allegedly presenting a forged Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree certificate in Public Administration, purportedly issued by the University of Jos and dated October 7, 2009, to secure employment with the NSCDC.
The anti-corruption agency said the offence violates Section 366 of the Penal Code and is punishable under Section 364, which criminalizes the use of forged documents as genuine.
Mr. Buba was initially arraigned in 2022 before Hon. Justice Asma’u Akanbi at the FCT High Court in Kubwa, where he was granted bail on liberal terms. However, following the elevation of Justice Akanbi to the Court of Appeal, the case was reassigned for trial de novo to Justice Binta Dogonyaro of Court 46, Apo.
Despite being duly notified of the new hearing date set for January 22, 2025, Mr. Buba reportedly failed to appear in court, even as his legal counsel was also aware of the proceedings. His continued absence prompted the court to issue a bench warrant for his arrest.
Following his eventual apprehension, Mr. Buba was re-arraigned before Justice Dogonyaro on June 26, 2025. At the resumed hearing, the court revoked his initial bail and ordered his remand at the Nigerian Correctional Service facility in Kuje pending trial.
The case has been adjourned to the 27th and 28th of October 2025 for further hearing.
The ICPC emphasized its commitment to upholding accountability and deterring public sector fraud, noting that the prosecution of cases such as this is critical to promoting integrity in government institutions.
