By Nkechi Eze
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned two men, Ibrahim Suleiman Umar and Tijani Adam Goni, before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, over an alleged N4.8 million job scam involving forged employment letters purportedly from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
In a statement signed by the Commission’s Director of Public Enlightenment and Education, Demola Bakare, the accused were brought before Justice B.M. Bassi on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, and forgery.
According to the charge sheet, the duo conspired in June 2021 to defraud two unsuspecting job seekers, Saifdeen Yakub and Aminu Abubakar, of N4.8 million under the pretext of securing them employment at CBN and FIRS. One of the counts specifically stated that they obtained the money “under the pretence that you will secure employment for them at the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Inland Revenue Service, which representation you knew to be false.”
Investigations revealed that the accused forged employment letters purportedly issued by both institutions, as well as a document titled “Final Document List,” which they presented to their victims as authentic. Their offences contravene Section 1(1)(a) and are punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, as well as Sections 363 and 364 of the Penal Code.
When the charges were read, both defendants pleaded guilty to all five counts. Justice Bassi subsequently ordered their remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter to 29th October 2025 for continuation of hearing.
Meanwhile, ICPC disclosed that a third defendant in the case, Mohammed Mustapha, remains at large, with efforts underway to apprehend him and bring him before the court to face justice.
