The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of Muhammad Said Musa, a former official of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), for making false statements and using forged academic and service certificates to secure public employment.
The conviction was delivered by Honourable Justice B. Mandy Bassi of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, sitting at Court 55, Asokoro, Abuja, following a one-count amended charge pursuant to a plea bargain agreement entered into by the defendant.
The court found that Musa fraudulently obtained and presented a forged Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree certificate in Political Science, purportedly issued by the University of Maiduguri, as well as a forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Certificate of National Service, which he used to gain employment with the NIPC.
In a statement by the Spokesperson/Head, Media and Public Communication, Mr. J. Okor Odey, the offence was uncovered after the ICPC received a request from the Executive Secretary of the NIPC to conduct a Staff Verification Audit. During the exercise, the Commission discovered discrepancies in the defendant’s credentials, which were later confirmed through independent verification to be forged.
In Charge No. CR/113/25, counsel to the ICPC, Barrister O. R. Bada, told the court that the offence contravened Section 25(1)(a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The prosecution disclosed that the defendant was initially arraigned on a six-count charge bordering on forgery and false statements. However, following his application for leniency and demonstrated willingness to cooperate with investigators, the charges were reduced to a single count in line with the plea bargain agreement.
ICPC counsel informed the court that the plea bargain served the interest of justice, noting that the defendant showed remorse and fully cooperated during the investigation and prosecution.
As part of the agreement, Musa refunded the sum of ₦36,590,943.21, representing salaries and benefits earned through false representation, into the ICPC Recovery Account.
Counsel to the defendant, Barrister C.O.C. Emeka Izima, told the court that his client was remorseful and had taken responsibility by refunding all proceeds of the offence.
In her judgment, Justice Bassi upheld the plea bargain and imposed a non-custodial sentence, ordering the defendant to be of good conduct and to pay a fine of ₦50,000.
The conviction underscores the ICPC’s zero-tolerance stance against credential fraud and reinforces its resolve to uphold integrity and accountability in the public service.
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