The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officer, Hassan Abdullahi, over certificate forgery and unlawful enrichment
Justice E. OkNSCNSCDC Officer Sentenced to seven years for certificate forgery, corrupt enrichmentDC Officer Sentenced to seven years for certificate forgery, corrupt enrichment of tNSCDC Officer Sentenced to seven years for certificate forgery, corrupt enrichmenthe FeNSCDC Officer Sentenced to seven years for certificate forgery, corrupt enrichmentderal Capital Territory High Court, Gudu, Abuja, on Monday found Abdullahi, a Superintendent in the Corps, guilty on a two-count charge filed by the anti-graft agency.
During the trial, ICPC prosecutor, Mr. Hamza Sani, led evidence showing how the officer presented a forged Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) from Adamu Augie College of Education, Argungu, Kebbi State, to the NSCDC in December 2010 for the purpose of career elevation.
The offense 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 N2,000,000.
On the second count, the court held that Abdullahi, between December 2011 and October 2022, exploited his position as a public officer to unlawfully earn salaries and benefits associated with the rank of Senior Inspector, all based on the forged certificate he had 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.
Beyond the jail terms, the court, acting under Section 321 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, ordered him to refund all salaries and benefits unlawfully received from the period of his fraudulent upgrade until he stopped earning remuneration from the Federal Government.
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.