NIGERIA: ICPC Arraigns NIPC Deputy Director For Alleged Forgery Of Degree Certificate

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has arraigned Mr Yusuf Abubakar Mustapha, a Deputy Director at the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on allegations of forgery and related offences.

The arraignment occurred on Tuesday before Honourable Justice S.U. Bature in Court 22. Mr Mustapha faced a three-count charge that included forgery, fraudulent presentation of forged documents, and making false statements to ICPC investigators.

The Commission’s investigation uncovered discrepancies in the academic credentials the defendant submitted when he joined the NIPC.

He reportedly claimed to have graduated from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, Second Class Honours (Lower Division), and used that certificate to secure employment on May 5, 2010.

However, official verification from Ahmadu Bello University revealed that the institution did not issue the Second Class Honours certificate presented by the defendant.

University records, including graduation lists and the authentic academic transcript, confirmed that he actually graduated with a Third Class degree.

The ICPC alleged that the Second Class Honours certificate and the accompanying statement of result were forged documents materially different from the genuine Third Class certificate issued by the university.yy

The charges cite 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 count of the charge sheet states that Mr Yusuf Abubakar Mustapha, while serving as a public officer and Deputy Director at the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission in Abuja, sometime in 2010 forged a Bachelor of Science degree certificate in Business Administration with Second Class Honours (Lower Division) purportedly from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, with intent to commit fraud, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 363 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Laws of the Federation.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to all three counts.

Prosecution counsel Mr David Nwaze requested a date for the start of the trial. Defence counsel Mr Denen Kya presented a motion on notice for bail, supported by a fourteen-paragraph affidavit and written address, asking the court to grant bail on liberal terms.

After listening to arguments from both sides, the court granted the defendant bail in the sum of ₦10,000,000 with one surety who must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

The case was adjourned to May 5, 2026, for the commencement of trial.

The prosecution continues to press the matter as part of the ICPC’s broader campaign against certificate forgery and other forms of corru

ption in the public service.