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 defrauding job seekers of N4.8 million under the pretext of securing employment for them in federal agencies.
According to a statement by the ICPC on Wednesday, the duo tricked two unsuspecting victims, Saifudeen Yakub and Aminu Abubakar, into believing they could help them secure lucrative jobs at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
The anti-graft agency explained that the fraud was uncovered following a petition filed in 2022, in which the complainants alleged that the two officials collected millions of naira from them for fake employment offers.
Investigations by the commission revealed that the convicts received multiple payments through bank transfers, including N3 million and N300,000 purportedly for medical screening and documentation.
They were subsequently arraigned before Justice B.M. Bassi of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Asokoro on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, and obtaining money under false pretence.
ICPC’s prosecution counsel, Fatima Bardi, told the court that Mohammed and Goni forged employment letters purportedly issued by the CBN and FIRS to deceive their victims.
However, under a plea bargain agreement in line with Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, the defendants pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and refunded the total sum of N4.8 million to the ICPC recovery account.
On October 29, Justice Bassi convicted both men on a separate one-count charge of making false statements, contrary to Section 25 of the ICPC Act 2000, and fined them N100,000 each after full restitution of the stolen funds.
The ICPC described the conviction as another step in its ongoing efforts to rid public institutions of corruption and restore public confidence in governance.
“This case demonstrates our resolve to hold public officials accountable and to ensure that those who exploit desperate job seekers face the full weight of the law,” the Commission stated.
The judgment also serves as a warning to job seekers to be wary of individuals or officials who promise employment opportunities in exchange for money, the ICPC added.
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