Former NIPC Official Convicted for Forgery, Refunds N36.6 Million to ICPC

Muhammad Said Musa, a former official of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), has been convicted for allegedly making false statements through the use of forged academic and service certificates.

The conviction was handed down by Honourable Justice B. Mandy Bassi of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, sitting at Court 55, Asokoro, Abuja.

This followed a one-count amended charge filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) against him, pursuant to a plea bargain agreement entered into by the defendant.

The court found that Musa fraudulently obtained and presented a forged Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree certificate in Political Science, purportedly issued by the University of Maiduguri, as well as a forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Certificate of National Service, which he used to secure employment with the NIPC.

The offence came to light after the ICPC received a request from the Executive Secretary of the NIPC for a Staff Verification Audit. During the verification exercise, the Commission discovered that the certificates submitted by the defendant were not genuine. Further independent verification confirmed that both certificates were forged.

In Charge No: CR/113/25, counsel to the ICPC, Barrister O. R. Bada, informed the court that the defendant’s actions contravened Section 25(1)(a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

The prosecution disclosed that the defendant was initially arraigned on a six-count charge bordering on forgery and false statements. However, following an application for leniency and the defendant’s willingness to cooperate, the charges were reduced to a single count in line with a plea bargain agreement.

ICPC counsel submitted that the plea bargain served the interest of justice, noting that the defendant showed remorse and fully cooperated during the investigation and prosecution.

As part of the agreement, the defendant refunded the sum of Thirty-Six Million, Five Hundred and Ninety Thousand, Nine Hundred and Forty-Three Naira, Twenty-One Kobo (₦36,590,943.21), being proceeds earned from the false representation, into the ICPC Recovery Account.

Counsel to the defendant, Barr. C.O.C. Emeka Izima told the court that his client was remorseful and had demonstrated genuine repentance by refunding all benefits derived from the offence.

In her judgment, Honourable Justice Bassi upheld the plea bargain agreement and sentenced the defendant to a non-custodial sentence, ordering him to be of good conduct and to pay a fine of Fifty Thousand Naira (₦50,000.00).

This conviction reinforces the ICPC’s unwavering resolve to uphold integrity in the public service and ensure accountability in line with its statutory mandate.