The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has obtained the conviction of Hassan Abdullahi, a Superintendent with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), over charges involving certificate forgery and obtaining an unlawful advantage.
Justice E. Okpe of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Gudu, Abuja, delivered the ruling, declaring Abdullahi guilty on the two-count charge filed against him by the ICPC.
During the trial, ICPC prosecutor Hamza Sani presented evidence showing that the officer fraudulently submitted a forged Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) from Adamu Augie College of Education in Argungu, Kebbi State, to the NSCDC in December 2010 in order to advance his career.
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 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.
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.
