The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned the Provost of the Federal College of Education (Technical) (FCET) Gusau, Hauwau Abdulkarim, and a lecturer with the Sokoto State College of Education (SSCE), Abdullahi Boyi over alleged certificate forgery.
The Acting Director of Public Enlightenment and Education of the Commission, Demola Bakare said the duo were arraigned on a six-count charge, registered as charge No. SS/213c/2024, before the State High Court Justice Muhammad Aliyu Sambo.
According to him, the two defendants forged an appointment letter and used it to apply for the position of Provost at the Federal College of Education (Technical) Gusau, Zamfara State.
The defendants were also accused of making false statements to ICPC officers during the investigation, which is an offence under Section 25(1)(a) and punishable under Section 25(ii)(b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000. “Both defendants, however, pleaded ‘not guilty’ to all six charges when read to them by the Court’s Registrar,” the ICPC revealed in a statement.
Counsel for the defendants, Dr. Muhammad Mansur Aliyu and Mr. M. S. Diri SAN, moved for bail applications on behalf of their clients. They requested the court to consider reasonable bail terms, citing the defendants’ “established positions and cooperation during the investigation.”
Counsel to the ICPC, Mr. Suleiman Ahmad, did not oppose the bail applications. Following the consideration of the applications, Hon. Justice Sambo granted bail under specific conditions designed to ensure the defendants’ continued presence throughout the trial proceedings.
The bail conditions require each defendant to provide two sureties who are permanent residents of Sokoto State, with each surety signing a bond of one million naira (₦1,000,000). After granting bail, the ICPC prosecutor requested a date for the trial to commence, emphasizing the Commission’s preparedness to present witnesses and evidence in support of the charges.
Hon. Justice Sambo adjourned the matter to November 21, 2024, when the hearing is set to begin. The prosecution is expected to call witnesses and introduce material evidence to substantiate the allegations.
The ICPC press release was signed by Demola Bakare, Acting Director of Public Enlightenment and Education, and Spokesperson for the Commission.
The bail conditions require each defendant to provide two sureties who are permanent residents of Sokoto State, with each surety signing a bond of one million naira (₦1,000,000). After granting bail, the ICPC prosecutor requested a date for the trial to commence, emphasizing the Commission’s preparedness to present witnesses and evidence in support of the charges.
Hon. Justice Sambo adjourned the matter to November 21, 2024, when the hearing is set to begin. The prosecution is expected to call witnesses and introduce material evidence to substantiate the allegations.
