The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of two National Assembly staff, Mustapha Mohammed and Tijjani Adam Goni, for their role in a ₦4.8 million job scam.
According to ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare in a Wednesday statement, the case arose from a petition (ICPC/P/NC/1056/2022) filed by the victims, which alleged that the defendants, along with another suspect at large, collected ₦4.8 million by promising fake job placements.
Justice B.M. Bassi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court 55, sitting in Asokoro, Abuja, found the duo guilty of defrauding Saifudeen Yakub and Aminu Abubakar with false employment offers at the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Inland Revenue Service.
“Investigations revealed that Mustapha Mohammed had introduced himself as a National Assembly staff member with close connections at the CBN and FIRS. He allegedly demanded ₦4 million each from the complainants, assuring them that their appointment letters would be released by April 27, 2021.
“The petitioners later deposited ₦3 million into a Zenith Bank account belonging to one of the defendants and were subsequently asked to pay an additional ₦300,000 each for purported medical screening, which was paid into another Access Bank account.
“Following a detailed investigation, the ICPC arraigned the suspects on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, and obtaining money under false pretence, contrary to the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006 and the Penal Code.
“Prosecution counsel, Fatima Abdullahi Bardi, told the court that the defendants forged employment letters purportedly issued by the CBN and FIRS to deceive their victims.”
The statement further said, “However, under Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, which allows plea bargaining, the defendants pleaded guilty to an amended one-count charge of making false statements, contrary to Section 25 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
“As part of the plea agreement, they refunded the entire ₦4.8 million to the ICPC Recovery Account and were each fined ₦100,000.”
The ICPC reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring accountability and integrity in public service, warning Nigerians to be wary of fraudulent job offers and to always verify claims through appropriate channels.
