The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured a conviction against a former National Examinations Council (NECO) employee for certificate forgery and related corrupt practices. Abdulwahab Sule, dismissed from NECO in 2020 after irregularities in his credentials were uncovered, was found guilty by the High Court of Niger State in Minna. Presiding Judge Abdullahi Mikailu delivered the verdict in Charge No. NSHC/ICPC/1C/2023, convicting Sule on three counts: dishonestly using a forged document as genuine, possession of a forged document, and making false statements.
Investigations by the ICPC revealed that Sule had fraudulently used a forged diploma purportedly issued by the Federal University of Technology, Yola (now Modibbo Adama University, Yola) to secure employment with NECO in January 2009. The certificate, dated 18 March 2008, was confirmed by the university as never having been issued. Further findings showed that Sule had not completed his studies and still had outstanding courses when he claimed to have graduated. In August 2020, he knowingly made false representations to NECO’s Director of Human Resource Management, falsely claiming to have obtained the diploma.
During the ICPC’s investigation, Sule admitted that he had not completed his studies and disclosed that he paid N30,000 to procure the forged certificate. The court sentenced him to twelve years’ imprisonment on Count One, ten years on Count Two, and two years on Count Three. The sentences run concurrently, resulting in an effective prison term of twelve years.
The ICPC reiterated its commitment to sanitising public institutions and warned that individuals engaging in forgery, falsification of records, and other corrupt practices will be brought to justice. The commission also urged organisations to maintain regular verification of staff credentials to prevent similar occurrences and strengthen institutional integrity.
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