By Victor Gbonegun
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned an officer of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC) Niger State Command, Anthony Damisa, for alleged forgery and making of false statement.
Damisa was docked before Justice M. E. Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court 3 sitting in Maitama, Abuja.
The spokesperson for the ICPC, Mrs Azuka Ogugua, disclosed this yesterday, in a statement.
The Commission, in a Charge No: CR/348/2022 filed before the trial court, alleged that the accused person used a forged Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Administration from Enugu State University of Science and Technology as well as a forged National Diploma Certificate in General Agriculture from the College of Agriculture, Yandev, Benue State to seek higher placement in the NSCDC.
ICPC told the court how investigation activities revealed that the certificates presented by the defendant to his employer did not emanate from the institutions he claimed.
The Commission in a 4-count charge is further accusing the defendant of making false statements to officers of ICPC while on their official duties.
His offences are contrary to Section 366, and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 89, Laws of the FCT and Section 25 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Ogugua further noted that when the charges were read to him, the accused person entered a “not guilty” plea, and his counsel Ibrahim Alhassan thereafter raised a bail application on behalf of his client, which was not opposed by the prosecution counsel, Ebiye Oglafa.
The accused person was then admitted to bail in the sum of N2m and a surety in like sum who must be a civil servant not below grade level 10.
He was also ordered to deposit either his International Passport or Driver’s License as well as two passport photographs.
The case was adjourned to April 4, 2023 for hearing.
Source: The Guardian
