Employment Scam: Adamawa Man Who Allegedly Promised Victim ICPC Job Absent In Court 

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

The ongoing trial of Umar Abubakar, an alleged job racketeer accused of duping a victim under the pretext of securing employment at the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has been stalled.

The trial was stalled due to the defendant’s absence in court, according to a press statement signed by Demola Bakare, spokeman for the Commission.

Abubakar, who was arrested in 2022 in a sting operation by ICPC operatives in Jimeta, Adamawa State, is facing a three-count charge before Justice Hafsat Abdulrahman of the Adamawa State High Court, Yola.

He was first arraigned on June 1, 2023.

The charges include obtaining by false pretense, fraudulent creation and use of official documents, and corruptly receiving payment as an inducement for a government job, offenses contrary to various provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud Act, the Penal Code Law of Adamawa State, and the ICPC Act of 2000.

According to the ICPC, Abubakar claimed in April 2022 to have close ties with the presidency and lured one Kabiru Musa into paying him for a non-existent job at the Commission.

He allegedly issued a fake temporary appointment letter bearing the ICPC logo and forged the signature of its Chairman.

One of the charges states: “That you, Umar Abubakar(M), sometimes in April 2022 in Jimeta, Adamawa State… fraudulently made and signed a document purported to be a letter of temporary appointment issued by the ICPC and signed by its Chairman… knowing same was not made and signed by the Chairman…”

When the case came up for hearing on Tuesday, Abubakar’s counsel, Mr. A.U. Sangere informed the court that his client was absent because he had traveled.

He assured the court that Abubakar would be present at the next sitting.

In response, ICPC’s legal representative, Mr. T.S. Iorngee requested two firm dates to enable the court to expedite proceedings.

Justice Abdulrahman subsequently adjourned the case to June 3 and 4, 2025, for continuation of trial.

The ICPC urged members of the public to remain vigilant and avoid falling prey to individuals falsely promising government employment in exchange for money.