By Nkechi Eze
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has taken two senior officials of the National Boundary Commission to court. Mrs. Aishatu Abdullahi, the Director of Administration and Supplies, and Mrs. Ghaji Rahila, an Assistant Chief Accountant, are facing charges of forgery and abuse of office. This move by the ICPC is part of its efforts to tackle corruption and ensure accountability in government agencies.
A statement made available to newsmen, signed by the commission’s spokesman states that; the duo was arraigned on Tuesday before Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja.
ICPC, in a five-count charge accused the defendants of conspiring amongst themselves to allow the first defendant (Ghaji Rahila) participate in the senior promotion exercise as well as her confirmation to the next rank of Chief Accountant (Level 14) at the National Boundary Commission while she was at the same time in the employment of Galaxy Backbone Limited.
The Commission also accused the first defendant (Ghaji Rahila) of forging an admission letter from Carnegie Mellon University, Rwanda (that was purportedly addressed to her Husband, Suleiman Mishara) with the intention to support her application for leave of absence at the National Boundary Commission.
Count 3 of the charge reads: “That you Ghaji Rahila (F) and Aishatu Abdullahi (F) sometime in 2021 or thereabout in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court as Assistant Chief Accountant and Director of Administration & Supplies of the National Boundary Commission respectively, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit an offence to wit: conferring unfair advantage when you allowed the said Ghaji Rahila to participate in the senior staff promotion exercise at the National Boundary Commission while she was at the same time in the employment of Galaxy Backbone LTD; and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 26(1)(c) and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act,2000.”
They however pleaded not guilty when the 5-count charge was read to them.
Counsel to ICPC, Fatimah Abdullahi Bardi, on the ground of “not guilty” pleas entered by the two defendants, applied to the court to give a date for the commencement of trial.
Counsel to the first and second defendants, Akinyemi Aremu and Adebayo Eniwaye, respectfully moved applications for bail on behalf of their clients.
In view of the non-opposition to the bail application by the prosecution counsel and other grounds cited in the applications, the presiding judge granted the two accused persons’ bail with the conditions that they shall provide two sureties each who must be residents of Abuja, a civil servant on the rank of director in any federal parastatal with evidence of first employment and last promotion.
The trial judge added that “such directors must sign letters of undertaking to produce the defendants in court throughout their trial and agreed to be put in prison upon failure to produce the first and second defendants in court.
“The said defendants shall also deposit their travelling documents with the Registrar of the court. In the event that they (defendants) failed to meet these conditions, they should be remanded in Suleja Prison till the next adjourned date.” the judge ruled.
The case was adjourned to 17th of March, 2025 for commencement of hearing.
