ICPC Secures Conviction of Two National Assembly Officials Over ₦4.8m Job Scam

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 involvement in a ₦4.8 million employment scam

Justice B.M. Bassi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja found the duo guilty of defrauding two victims under the guise of securing jobs for them at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

In a statement released on Wednesday, ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare said the case originated from a petition submitted by the victims, identified as Saifudeen Yakub and Aminu Abubakar.

According to the statement, the petition detailed how the defendants, in collaboration with another suspect currently at large, collected ₦4.8 million to facilitate fake job placements.

Investigations showed that Mustapha Mohammed introduced himself as a staff member of the National Assembly and claimed to have close ties with officials at the CBN and FIRS. He allegedly demanded ₦4 million from each complainant, promising that their appointment letters would be issued by April 27, 2021.

The victims reportedly transferred ₦3 million into a Zenith Bank account belonging to one of the defendants, before being asked to pay an additional ₦300,000 each for a supposed medical screening, which was paid into an Access Bank account.

Following the investigation, the ICPC arraigned the suspects on five counts, including conspiracy, forgery, and obtaining money under false pretence, contrary to the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006 and the Penal Code.

Prosecution counsel Fatima Bardi told the court that the defendants forged appointment letters purportedly issued by the CBN and FIRS to deceive their victims.

However, under Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, which allows plea bargaining, both defendants pleaded guilty to an amended single charge of making false statements, contrary to Section 25 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

As part of the plea agreement, they refunded the entire ₦4.8 million to the ICPC Recovery Account and were fined ₦100,000 each.

The ICPC reaffirmed its commitment to promoting transparency and integrity within the public sector. It also advised Nigerians to be vigilant against fraudulent job offers and verify all employment claims through official government channels.