By Yemi Akinsuyi
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of one Hassan Abdullahi, a Superintendent of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), for offences bordering on certificate forgery and corrupt advantage.
Delivering judgement on the matter, Honourable Justice E. Okpe of the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Gudu, Abuja, found the defendant guilty on a two-count charge preferred against him by the Commission.
In the course of the trial, ICPC’s Prosecutor, Mr. Hamza Sani had led evidence before the court on how the convict dishonestly presented a forged Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) of Adamu Augie College of Education, Argungu, Kebbi State, to the NSCDC in December 2010 for the purpose of career advancement.
The offence contravenes Section 366 and is punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Act. The court accordingly sentenced the convict to two (2) years imprisonment or a fine of ₦2,000,000.
On Count Two, the court found that between December 2011 and October 2022, Hassan Abdullahi, while serving as a public officer, used his position to confer corrupt advantage on himself by receiving salaries and benefits applicable to the rank of Senior Inspector on the basis of the forged certificate earlier submitted.
This act violates Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000. The court therefore sentenced him to five (5) years imprisonment without an option of fine.
In addition to the custodial sentences, the court, relying on Section 321 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, ordered the convict to refund all salaries, benefits, and emoluments received from the date he fraudulently upgraded his career until he ceased receiving salaries from the Federal Government.
According to the Spokesperson for ICPC, Okor Odey the Commission welcomes this judgement as a reaffirmation of the judiciary’s support in the fight against corruption, particularly in the public service where acts such as certificate forgery and corrupt self-enrichment undermine professionalism, integrity, and public trust.
“ICPC remains committed to the diligent investigation and prosecution of all forms of corruption, and urges public institutions to strengthen their internal verification processes to prevent such abuses”, he said.
