ICPC Convicts Two Assembly Staff Over Fake CBN, FIRS Job Offers Worth ₦4.8m
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of two officials of the National Assembly, Mustapha Mohammed and Tijjani Goni, for their involvement in a ₦4.8 million employment scam.
Delivering judgment, Justice B.M. Bassi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, found the defendants guilty of defrauding two complainants under the false pretext of securing employment at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
According to a statement issued by ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare, the matter originated from a petition filed by the victims, Saifudeen Yakub and Aminu Abubakar. The petition detailed how the defendants, acting with another suspect still at large, collected ₦4.8 million to facilitate fraudulent job placements.
Investigations revealed that Mohammed presented himself as a National Assembly staff member with alleged connections at the CBN and FIRS. He demanded ₦4 million each from the complainants, promising appointment letters by 27 April 2021. The victims subsequently deposited ₦3 million into a Zenith Bank account controlled by one of the defendants and later paid an additional ₦300,000 each into an Access Bank account for purported medical screening.
Following investigations, the ICPC arraigned the defendants on five counts 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 Bardi informed the court that the defendants forged employment letters purportedly issued by the CBN and FIRS to deceive their victims. However, pursuant to Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 (plea bargaining provisions), the defendants pleaded guilty to an amended single count of making false statements, contrary to Section 25 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.
As part of the plea agreement, the defendants refunded the entire ₦4.8 million to the ICPC Recovery Account and were each fined ₦100,000.
The ICPC reaffirmed its commitment to promoting accountability and integrity in public service, warning Nigerians to exercise caution regarding fraudulent job offers and to verify employment claims through official channels.
