The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has arraigned two senior officials of the National Boundary Commission, Aishatu Abdullahi, and Ghaji Rahila, on charges of forgery and abuse of office.
The Director of Administration and Supplies, Aishatu Abdullahi, and an Assistant Chief Accountant, Ghaji Rahila, appeared before Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday.
According to the ICPC, the defendants conspired to allow Rahila to participate in a senior promotion exercise at the National Boundary Commission while she was simultaneously employed by Galaxy Backbone Limited. The ICPC alleged this gave her an unfair advantage, leading to her confirmation as Chief Accountant (Level 14).
The ICPC also accused Rahila of forging an admission letter from Carnegie Mellon University, Rwanda, purportedly addressed to her husband, to support her leave of absence application.
In a statement, ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare explained, “The accused persons committed offences contrary to Section 26(1)(c) and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.”
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The ICPC’s counsel, Fatimah Bardi, requested a trial date, while the defendants’ lawyers, Akinyemi Aremu and Adebayo Eniwaye, applied for bail.
Justice Halilu granted bail under strict conditions, including two sureties each who must be Abuja-based civil servants at the director level in federal agencies. The judge emphasized that the sureties must sign letters of undertaking to ensure the defendants’ court appearances and agree to imprisonment if the defendants fail to appear.
The defendants were also ordered to submit their travel documents to the court. If they fail to meet the bail conditions, they will be remanded in Suleja Prison until the next hearing.
The case is scheduled for hearing on March 17, 2025.
