Korede Abdullah in Lagos
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has taken a significant step in combating certificate forgery by arraigning Hauwau Gimbiya Mukhtar Abdulkarim, the serving Provost of the Federal College of Education (Technical) (FCET), Gusau, and Abdullahi Boyi, a lecturer with the Sokoto State College of Education (SSCE) Sokoto.
The duo faced a six-count charge at the Sokoto State High Court, presided over by Hon. Justice Muhammad Aliyu Sambo.
According to the ICPC, the defendants allegedly forged an appointment letter and used it to apply for the position of Provost at the Federal College of Education (Technical) Gusau, Zamfara State.
They were also accused of making false statements to ICPC officers during the investigation, an offense under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.
The charges against the defendants include conspiring to commit forgery, specifically forging a letter of “Notification for Appointment” to the Post of Chief Lecturer on COMPCASS 14, effective January 1, 2017. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all six charges.
The defense counsel, Dr. Muhammad Mansur Aliyu and Mr. M.S Diri SAN, applied for bail on behalf of their clients, citing their “established positions and cooperation during the investigation.”
The ICPC prosecutor, Mr. Suleiman Ahmad, did not oppose the bail applications. Hon. Justice Sambo granted bail under specific conditions, requiring each defendant to provide two sureties who are permanent residents of Sokoto State, with each surety signing a bond of one million naira (₦1,000,000).
The trial is set to begin on November 21, 2024, with the prosecution expected to present witnesses and evidence to substantiate the allegations.
