Korede Abdullah in Lagos
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of Mr. Martins Ugwu, a fake medical doctor who impersonated his ‘best friend’ to secure a job at the Federal Ministry of Health.
This was contained in a press statement released on Tuesday and signed by Demola Bakare, Spokesperson for the Commission.
Ugwu’s conviction came after the ICPC filed a 7-count charge against him in February 2016 for making false statements to the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission.
The convict had used the certificate of his ‘best friend’, Dr. George Daniel Davidson, to secure employment at the Federal Ministry of Health in 2006.
“The Commission said the offence contravened Section 25 (1) (a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Act, 2000 and punishable under Section 25 (1) (b) of the same act.”, the statement read.
He drew salaries and allowances totalling N17.2 million between 2006 and 2016, while working as a medical doctor with the fake documents.
Ugwu also used the fake documents to procure a staff identity card and apply for annual leave and a postgraduate training program.
During the sentence hearing, Counsel to the ICPC, Dr. Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha, urged the court to order the restitution of all money earned by the convict while impersonating Dr. Davidson.
Justice Abubakar Idris Kutigi, in his judgment, stated that the issue of quack doctors has taken a new dimension and Ugwu’s sentencing would serve as a deterrent to others.
Justice Kutigi sentenced Ugwu to a jail term of 6 months consecutively on each of the 7 counts preferred against him by the ICPC.
The judge also ordered the restitution of the salaries and allowances paid to the convict while under the employment of the Federal Ministry of Health.
An additional one-year jail term was imposed in case the convict failed to meet up with the restitution order.
The ICPC’s spokesperson noted that Ugwu’s conviction demonstrates the commission’s commitment to combating corruption and ensuring accountability in all sectors.
