By Nkechi Eze
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of a staff member of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Iyonu Eseme, for using a forged Trade Test Certificate to gain employment with the agency.
According to an official statement signed by the ICPC spokesperson, Demola Bakare, Mr. Eseme was arraigned before Honourable Justice M.I. Tanko of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja. He faced a three-count charge bordering on forgery, in violation of Sections 366 and 368 of the Penal Code Act and Section 25(1)(b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.
One of the charges stated: “That you, Iyonu Eseme (M), sometime in the month of August 2020 at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did with intent to commit fraud, forge a Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity Certificate of Competence also known as Trade Test Certificate I, II, III (2014) with trade test code KN/6/90052, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 363 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code.”
Following his arraignment, Mr. Eseme, through his legal counsel Mr. Anthony Idanosa Eruaga, opted for a plea bargain. The ICPC prosecuting counsel, Mr. Nura Saidu, accepted the plea in accordance with the provisions of Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 and urged the court to convict the defendant and impose a fine.
Justice M.I. Tanko, after reviewing the plea and the terms of the agreement presented by both parties, convicted Mr. Eseme and sentenced him to a fine of Fifty Thousand Naira (₦50,000.00) only.
The ICPC reaffirmed its resolve to uphold integrity and transparency across public institutions. The Commission also issued a stern warning that forgery and other forms of corrupt practices will continue to be met with appropriate legal consequences.
