ICPC Arraigns NIPC Deputy Director Over Alleged Certificate Forgery

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has draged a Deputy Director at the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Yusuf Mustapha, before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, over allegations of forgery.

Mustapha was brought before Justice S.U. Bature on a three-count charge involving alleged forgery, the use of forged documents, and providing false information to ICPC investigators.

In a statement issued on Thursday, ICPC spokesperson, John Odey, said the case followed the discovery of discrepancies in the defendant’s academic credentials.

According to him, Mustapha stated that he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, Second Class Honours (Lower Division), from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1997, and allegedly used the certificate to secure employment with the NIPC on May 5, 2010.

“However, responses from Ahmadu Bello University reportedly indicated that the certificate was not issued by the institution. Further documents provided by the university, including graduation lists and the defendant’s academic transcript, allegedly confirmed that the defendant graduated with a Third-Class degree, contrary to the Second-Class degree certificate presented at the point of employment, ” the statement added.

The commission further claimed that both the Second-Class degree certificate and the accompanying statement of result submitted by Mustapha were falsified and did not match the authentic Third-Class certificate issued by the university.

Detailing the legal basis of the charges, Odey stated: “The charges against the defendant include forgery contrary to Section 363 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Laws of the Federation; fraudulent presentation of forged documents contrary to Section 366 and punishable under Section 364 of the same law; and making false statements to an ICPC officer contrary to Section 25(1)(a) and punishable under Section 25(1)(b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

“One of the charges alleged that the defendant, while serving as a deputy director at the NIPC, forged a Bachelor of Science degree certificate with Second Class Honours (Lower Division), purportedly issued by Ahmadu Bello University, with the intent to commit fraud.”

According to Odey, Mustapha pleaded not guilty to all three counts when they were read in court.

After the plea was entered, prosecuting counsel, David Nwaze, asked the court to fix a date for trial. Defence counsel, Denen Kya, however, notified the court of a pending bail application and urged that it be granted on liberal terms.

Following arguments from both sides, the court admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of ₦10 million, with one surety required to reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

The matter was subsequently adjourned until May 5, 2026, for the start of trial proceedings.