The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has arraigned a Deputy Director of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Yusuf Mustapha, before the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, over alleged forgery.
Mustapha was arraigned before Justice S. U. Bature on three counts bordering on forgery, fraudulent presentation of forged documents, and making false statements to investigators of the ICPC.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the ICPC spokesperson, John Odey, said investigations uncovered inconsistencies in the defendant’s academic records.
According to him, Mustapha claimed he graduated from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, Second Class Honours (Lower Division), which he allegedly used to secure employment with the NIPC on May 5, 2010.
“However, responses from Ahmadu Bello University reportedly indicated that the certificate was not issued by the institution. Further documents provided by the university, including graduation lists and the defendant’s academic transcript, allegedly confirmed that the defendant graduated with a Third-Class degree, contrary to the Second-Class degree certificate presented at the point of employment, ” the statement added.
The ICPC further alleged that the Second-Class degree certificate and the accompanying statement of result submitted by the defendant were forged and materially different from the authentic Third-Class degree certificate issued by the university.
“The charges against the defendant include forgery contrary to Section 363 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Laws of the Federation; fraudulent presentation of forged documents contrary to Section 366 and punishable under Section 364 of the same law; and making false statements to an ICPC officer contrary to Section 25(1)(a) and punishable under Section 25(1)(b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000
One of the charges alleged that the defendant, while serving as a deputy director at the NIPC, forged a Bachelor of Science degree certificate with Second Class Honours (Lower Division), purportedly issued by Ahmadu Bello University, with the intent to commit fraud, ” Odey said.
Odey added that the defendant pleaded not guilty to all three charges.
Following the plea, he said the prosecuting counsel, David Nwaze, applied for a trial date, while defence counsel, Denen Kya, informed the court of a motion seeking bail for the defendant and urged the court to grant it on liberal terms.
After listening to submissions from both parties, Odey said the court granted Mustapha bail in the sum of ₦10 million, with one surety who must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to May 5, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
