The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of two National Assembly officials, Mustapha Mohammed and Tijjani Goni, for their role in a N4.8 million job scam.
Justice B.M. Bassi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja found the duo guilty of defrauding two victims under the pretense of securing employment at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
According to ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare, the case originated from a petition by the victims, Saifudeen Yakub and Aminu Abubakar. The petition detailed how the suspects, along with another individual currently at large, collected N4.8 million to facilitate fictitious job offers.
Investigations revealed that Mustapha Mohammed posed as a National Assembly staff member with connections at the CBN and FIRS, demanding N4 million from each victim, with the promise that their appointment letters would be released by April 27, 2021. The victims subsequently paid N3 million into a Zenith Bank account and an additional N300,000 each for alleged medical screenings into another Access Bank account.
The ICPC charged the suspects on five counts, including conspiracy, forgery, and obtaining money under false pretences, in violation of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006 and the Penal Code. The prosecution presented evidence of forged employment letters from the CBN and FIRS.
Under Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, which allows plea bargaining, both suspects pleaded guilty to an amended 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 duo refunded the full N4.8 million to the ICPC Recovery Account and were each fined N100,000.
The ICPC reaffirmed its commitment to promoting accountability in public service and urged Nigerians to verify job offers through official channels to avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes.
