By Nkechi Eze
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of a former official of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Muhammad Said Musa, for making false statements and using forged academic and service certificates to fraudulently obtain public employment.
The conviction was delivered by Honourable Justice B. Mandy Bassi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, sitting at Court 55, Asokoro, Abuja, following a one-count amended charge filed against the defendant pursuant to a plea bargain agreement.
The court found that Musa knowingly presented a forged Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree certificate in Political Science, purportedly issued by the University of Maiduguri, alongside a forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Certificate of National Service, which he used to secure appointment with the NIPC.
The case originated from a request submitted to the ICPC by the Executive Secretary of the NIPC, seeking a Staff Verification Audit of its personnel. During the verification exercise, ICPC investigators discovered discrepancies in the certificates submitted by the defendant.
Subsequent independent verification by the Commission confirmed that both the university degree certificate and the NYSC certificate were not genuine.
In Charge No. CR/113/25, counsel to the ICPC, Barrister O. R. Bada, told the court that the defendant’s actions contravened Section 25(1)(a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The prosecution disclosed that Musa was initially arraigned on a six-count charge bordering on forgery and making false statements. However, following his application for leniency and willingness to cooperate with investigators, the charges were reduced to a single count in line with the terms of a plea bargain agreement.
ICPC counsel explained that the plea bargain was entered in the interest of justice, noting that the defendant admitted the offence, expressed remorse, and cooperated fully during investigation and prosecution.
As part of the agreement, the defendant refunded the sum of Thirty-Six Million, Five Hundred and Ninety Thousand, Nine Hundred and Forty-Three Naira, Twenty-One Kobo (₦36,590,943.21), being the total proceeds earned from the false representation, into the ICPC Recovery Account.
Counsel to the defendant, Barrister C.O.C. Emeka Izima, also informed the court that his client was genuinely remorseful and had demonstrated repentance by returning all benefits derived from the crime.
In her judgment, Honourable Justice Bassi upheld the plea bargain agreement and imposed a non-custodial sentence, ordering the defendant to be of good conduct and to pay a fine of Fifty Thousand Naira (₦50,000).
The conviction underscores the ICPC’s unwavering resolve to promote integrity in the public service and to ensure that individuals who undermine due process and accountability are held responsible in accordance with the law.
