Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of a former staff member of the National Examinations Council (NECO), Abdulwahab Sule, for using a forged diploma certificate to gain employment with the examination body. Sule was found guilty by the High Court of Niger State sitting in Minna on Tuesday and sentenced to an effective 12 years in prison, a ruling that has sent a powerful message about the consequences of credential fraud in Nigeria's public institutions.
Justice Abdullahi Mikailu, who presided over the case, convicted Sule on a three-count charge including dishonestly using a forged document as genuine, possession of a forged document, and making false statements to his employer. The court sentenced him to 12 years imprisonment on the first count, 10 years on the second, and two years on the third. While the total adds up to 24 years, Justice Mikailu ordered that the sentences run concurrently, meaning the convict will serve a total of 12 years behind bars. The judgment was delivered in charge number NSHC/ICPC/1C/2023.
Investigations by the ICPC revealed that Sule fraudulently used a forged Diploma certificate purportedly issued by the Federal University of Technology, Yola, now known as Modibbo Adama University, Yola, to secure employment with NECO in January 2009. He remained in service for over a decade until his dismissal in September 2020. Further findings showed that the certificate in question, dated March 18, 2008, did not emanate from the institution, as confirmed by the university during a verification process. The commission also established that Sule had not completed his studies and still had outstanding courses at the time he claimed to have graduated.
The case took a dramatic turn during the ICPC’s investigation when Sule admitted to the crime. He confessed that he did not complete his studies and disclosed that he paid a paltry sum of N30,000 to an individual to procure the forged certificate. This admission was a key piece of evidence that sealed his fate. In addition, the commission found that Sule had knowingly made false representations to NECO’s Director of Human Resource Management in August 2020, falsely claiming that he had legitimately obtained the diploma certificate. This was part of an internal check by NECO that ultimately led to his dismissal.
Sule’s conviction is a landmark case stemming from a nationwide certificate verification exercise conducted by NECO in 2020. At the time, the examination body, under the leadership of its acting registrar, set up a Staff Certificate Verification Committee to fish out workers using fake certificates. The committee contacted the schools and tertiary institutions that the affected workers claimed to have attended and discovered that many had not earned the credentials they presented. In total, 89 workers were indicted and dismissed, and their files were transferred to the police and the ICPC for prosecution. Of the 89 dismissed workers, most were Executive Officers and General Duties personnel, while others included Chief Examination Officers, Principal Examination Officers, and Senior Examination Officers. The verification exercise, which was conducted in phases, was part of NECO’s policy of zero tolerance for corruption and a move to sanitise the examination system.
The ICPC, in a statement following the conviction, reiterated its commitment to sanitising public institutions and warned that individuals who engage in forgery, falsification of records, and other corrupt practices will be brought to justice. The commission also urged organisations, both in the public and private sectors, to strengthen their internal systems, especially in the area of staff recruitment and verification of credentials. The commission noted that regular verification of staff credentials is essential to prevent similar occurrences and strengthen institutional integrity.
The conviction of Abdulwahab Sule serves as a stark warning to others who might contemplate using fake certificates to secure employment or gain promotions. It highlights the long-term consequences of such actions, not only for the individuals involved but also for the integrity of public institutions. The ICPC’s successful prosecution of this case demonstrates the agency’s resolve to tackle corruption and promote accountability in Nigeria’s public service. As the commission continues its work, it is expected that more cases of certificate forgery will be brought to light and prosecuted, sending a clear signal that the era of impunity for such crimes is over.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments