The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of two National Assembly employees, Mustapha Mohammed and Tijjani Adam Goni, for their involvement in a ₦4.8 million employment scam.
According to a statement by ICPC spokesperson, Demola Bakare, the conviction followed a petition (ICPC/P/NC/1056/2022) lodged by victims who accused the duo of collecting money under false pretences of securing jobs.
Naijaonpoint learnt that the convicts, in collaboration with another suspect still at large, allegedly defrauded two victims, Saifudeen Yakub and Aminu Abubakar, by promising them employment at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
“Investigations revealed that Mustapha Mohammed had introduced himself as a National Assembly staff member with close connections at the CBN and FIRS. He allegedly demanded ₦4 million each from the complainants, assuring them that their appointment letters would be released by April 27, 2021,” the statement read.
The victims reportedly paid ₦3 million into a Zenith Bank account belonging to one of the defendants and later paid an additional ₦300,000 each for purported medical screening into another Access Bank account.
The ICPC arraigned the defendants before Justice B.M. Bassi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court 55, Asokoro, Abuja, on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, and obtaining money under false pretence, contrary to the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, and the Penal Code.
Prosecution counsel, Fatima Abdullahi Bardi, informed the court that the convicts forged employment letters allegedly issued by the CBN and FIRS to deceive their victims.
However, under Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, which allows plea bargaining, the duo opted for an amended one-count charge of making false statements, contrary to Section 25 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The court convicted the two National Assembly staff after they pleaded guilty to the amended charge.
“As part of the plea agreement, they refunded the entire ₦4.8 million to the ICPC Recovery Account and were each fined ₦100,000,” the ICPC statement added.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to promoting accountability and integrity in public service, cautioning Nigerians to verify all job offers through proper government channels to avoid falling victim to scammers.
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