ICPC Convicts Ex-NIPC Official for Forged Certificates
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 using forged academic and service certificates.
The conviction was delivered by Honourable Justice B. Mandy Bassi of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Asokoro, Abuja, following a one-count amended charge pursuant to a plea bargain agreement.
The court found that Musa fraudulently presented a forged Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science, purportedly issued by the University of Maiduguri, alongside a forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate, which he used to secure employment with the NIPC.
The offence was uncovered during a Staff Verification Audit requested by the NIPC and carried out by the ICPC. Independent checks later confirmed that the certificates were not genuine.
In Charge No. CR/113/25, ICPC counsel, 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 explained that the defendant was initially arraigned on six counts but benefited from a plea bargain after showing remorse and cooperating with investigators.
As part of the agreement, Musa refunded ₦36,590,943.21, being proceeds earned from the false representation, into the ICPC Recovery Account.
In her judgment, Justice Bassi upheld the plea bargain, sentenced the defendant to a non-custodial term, ordered him to be of good conduct, and imposed a fine of ₦50,000.
The conviction underscores the ICPC’s commitment to promoting integrity and accountability in the public service.
