The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned a Deputy Director of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, NIPC, Yusuf Mustapha, before the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Abuja over alleged forgery.
Mustapha was brought before Justice S.U. Bature on three counts of forgery, fraudulent presentation of counterfeit papers, and giving false statements to ICPC investigators.
According to ICPC spokesman John Odey’s statement on Thursday, investigations revealed irregularities in the defendant’s academic certificate.
He said Mustapha claimed to have graduated from Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Kaduna State, in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, Second Class Honours (Lower Division), which he reportedly exploited to get a job with the NIPC on May 5, 2010.
“However, responses from Ahmadu Bello University reportedly indicated that the certificate was not issued by the institution. Further documents provided by the university, including graduation lists and the defendant’s academic transcript, allegedly confirmed that the defendant graduated with a Third-Class degree, contrary to the Second-Class degree certificate presented at the point of employment,” the statement added.
Furthermore, the ICPC alleged that the second-class degree certificate and accompanying statement of result submitted by the defendant were forged and materially different from the genuine third-class degree certificate issued by the university.
“The charges against the defendant include forgery contrary to Section 363 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Laws of the Federation; fraudulent presentation of forged documents contrary to Section 366 and punishable under Section 364 of the same law; and making false statements to an ICPC officer contrary to Section 25(1)(a) and punishable under Section 25(1)(b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
One of the charges alleged that the defendant, while serving as a deputy director at the NIPC, forged a Bachelor of Science degree certificate with Second Class Honours (Lower Division), purportedly issued by Ahmadu Bello University, with the intent to commit fraud,” Odey said.
He stated that the defendant pled not guilty on all three counts.
Following the plea, he stated that the prosecuting counsel, David Nwaze, requested a trial date, while the defense counsel, Denen Kya, informed the court of a motion requesting bail for the defendant and urged the court to grant it on favorable terms.
Odey stated that the defendant was granted bail of ₦10 million with one surety residing within the court’s jurisdiction, following arguments from both parties.
The trial date has been set for May 5, 2026.
