By Nkechi Eze
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned one Mrs. Moses Oluwafunmilayo Esther before the Federal Capital Territory High Court over allegations of forgery and unlawful manipulation of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) to receive salaries while under suspension.
The arraignment took place on Monday before Honourable Justice Yusuf Halilu, with Mrs. Esther facing a three-count charge filed by the Commission.
According to an official signed statement by the Commission’s spokesperson, Demola Bakare, fsi, the defendant is alleged to have forged a letter of posting dated 20th January 1998 with Reference No. HCSF/CMO/EMD/AOD/013/1/30, purportedly issued by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.
Further investigations by the ICPC revealed that Mrs. Esther, who held the position of Principal Administrative Officer in the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, also submitted a falsified posting instruction, gazette, appointment letter, and confirmation letter—all of which were not found in the records of the Federal Civil Service Commission.
The statement noted that following a probe by a committee set up by the Office of the Head of Civil Service to investigate the alleged fake posting, the defendant’s salary was suspended in November 2021. However, it was later discovered that she had illegally restored her salary in January 2022 through unauthorized access as a role player on the IPPIS platform, without approval from the relevant authorities.
Count One of the charge reads: “That you, Oluwafunmilayo Esther (F), on or about 2021 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to commit fraud, did forge a document to wit: a posting letter dated 17th June 2021, with Reference No. HCSF/CMO/EMD/002/S.12/T.4.110, purportedly emanating from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, bearing your name, Moses Oluwafunmilayo Esther, and six (6) others; and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Laws of the FCT.”
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Her counsel, Mr. Chima Okason, applied for bail on liberal terms, a request which was not opposed by ICPC’s counsel, Mrs. Olubunmi Ayo.
Justice Halilu granted bail on the condition that the defendant produces two credible sureties, each of whom must be a serving director in the federal civil service within the Federal Capital Territory. The sureties are required to present evidence of their first and most recent promotions for verification and must sign a written undertaking that they will be detained in the event that the defendant jumps bail.
The case was adjourned to July 8, 2025, for commencement of trial.
