NSCDC Officer Sentenced to Seven Years for Certificate Forgery, Corrupt Self-Enrichment

Abuja – A Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officer, Hassan Abdullahi, has been sentenced to a total of seven years in prison for certificate forgery and corrupt self-enrichment, following a prosecution by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Justice E. Okpe of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Gudu, handed down the judgement after finding Abdullahi guilty on two counts brought by the Commission.

Abdullahi was accused of presenting a forged Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) from Adamu Augie College of Education, Argungu, Kebbi State, to the NSCDC in December 2010 to advance his career. The offense violates Sections 364 and 366 of the Penal Code Act, attracting a two-year jail term or a fine of N2 million.

On the second count, Abdullahi, while serving as a public officer between December 2011 and October 2022, exploited his position to illegally receive salaries and benefits corresponding to the rank of Senior Inspector, based on the forged certificate. This offence contravenes Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, resulting in a five-year custodial sentence without the option of a fine.

Additionally, the court ordered Abdullahi to refund all salaries and benefits obtained fraudulently during the period of his career misrepresentation, pursuant to Section 321 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

The ICPC praised the ruling as a reaffirmation of the judiciary’s commitment to combating corruption in the public service, emphasizing the importance of upholding integrity, professionalism, and public trust.