A Superintendent of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Hassan Abdullahi, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for offences related to certificate forgery and corrupt advantage.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) said it secured the conviction at the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Gudu, Abuja.
The Commission hinted at this in a statement on Monday, December 8, signed by its spokesperson, Okor Odey.
According to the statement, Justice E. Okpe, while delivering the judgment, found the defendant guilty on a two-count charge preferred against him by the Commission.
The ICPC stated that its prosecutor, Hamza Sani, had led evidence before the court on how the convict dishonestly presented a forged Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) of Adamu Augie College of Education, Argungu, Kebbi State, to the NSCDC in December 2010 for career advancement.
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“The offence contravenes Section 366 and is punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Act. The court accordingly sentenced the convict to two (2) years imprisonment or a fine of ₦2,000,000.
“On Count Two, the court found that between December 2011 and October 2022, Hassan Abdullahi, while serving as a public officer, used his position to confer a corrupt advantage on himself by receiving salaries and benefits applicable to the rank of Senior Inspector based on the forged certificate earlier submitted.
“This act violates Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000. The court therefore sentenced him to five (5) years imprisonment without an option of fine,” ICPC said.
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In addition to the custodial sentences, it said the court, relying on Section 321 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, ordered the convict to refund all salaries, benefits, and emoluments received from the date he fraudulently upgraded his career until he ceased receiving salaries from the Federal Government.
The judgment is a reaffirmation of the judiciary’s support in the fight against corruption, particularly in the public service, where acts such as certificate forgery and corrupt self-enrichment undermine professionalism, integrity, and public trust, the ICPC added.
Alex is a business journalist cum data enthusiast with the Pinnacle Daily. He can be reached via ealex@thepinnacleng.com, @ehime_alex on X
