By Nkechi Eze
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has closed its case against Umar Abubakar in an alleged job racketeering trial before the Adamawa State High Court sitting in Yola.
The development was disclosed in an official signed statement by the Commission’s Spokesperson, J. Okor Odey, who said the defendant is standing trial in suit number HC/ADSY/127C/2022 between the Federal Government and Umar Abubakar before the Chief Judge of Adamawa State, Hon. Justice Hafsat Abdulrahman.
At the resumed hearing on March 2, 2026, counsel to the prosecution, Lorngee Terkuma Solomon, representing the ICPC, presented the Commission’s final witness in the matter.
The witness, Mr. Isah Abdullahi Gaude, an investigator with the Commission and a member of the investigative team, told the court that the defendant was arrested during a sting operation conducted in April 2022 at Jimeta, Yola, Adamawa State.
According to Gaude, the operation followed a petition alleging that the defendant had offered to secure employment for one Kabiru Musa in the ICPC in exchange for the sum of one million naira.
He testified that the defendant was apprehended during the operation with a purported temporary appointment letter of the ICPC and the sum of one hundred thousand naira, being part of the pre-arranged money provided for the sting.
The investigator further informed the court that the Commission subsequently obtained a search warrant which led to a search of the defendant’s residence. During the exercise, additional incriminating documents were recovered, including purported appointment letters and letterheads bearing the names of the Federal Medical Centre, Yola, and the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo.
Following the testimony of the final witness, the prosecution formally closed its case.
Counsel to the defendant, A.U. Sangere, after cross-examining the witness, applied to file a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against his client.
Justice Hafsat Abdulrahman thereafter adjourned the matter to March 30, 2026, for the adoption of written addresses on the no-case submission.
Umar Abubakar is facing a three-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence with intent to defraud, contrary to Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2000; fraudulent making and signing of a document with intent to cause it to be believed as genuine, contrary to Section 349(a) and punishable under Section 351 of the Penal Code Law of Adamawa State; and corruptly obtaining consideration as a reward, contrary to Section 17(1)(a) and punishable under Section 68 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
