The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of two National Assembly officials, Mustapha Mohammed and Tijjani Goni, for defrauding job seekers of ₦4.8 million under the guise of offering employment at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
Justice B.M. Bassi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja found the duo guilty of obtaining money under false pretence, conspiracy, and forgery.
According to ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare, the case began after the victims, Saifudeen Yakub and Aminu Abubakar, filed a petition detailing how the defendants collected money from them to secure fake jobs.
Investigations revealed that Mustapha Mohammed presented himself as a National Assembly staff member with strong connections at the CBN and FIRS. He demanded ₦4 million each from the victims and promised that their appointment letters would be released by April 2021.
The victims reportedly deposited ₦3 million into one of the defendants’ Zenith Bank accounts and later paid an extra ₦300,000 each for supposed medical screening into another Access Bank account.
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After investigations, the ICPC arraigned the suspects on five counts, including forgery and obtaining money under false pretence. However, under a plea bargain arrangement, both defendants pleaded guilty to an amended one-count charge of making false statements.
They refunded the entire ₦4.8 million to the ICPC Recovery Account and were each fined ₦100,000 by the court.
The ICPC reiterated its commitment to fighting corruption in public service and advised Nigerians to verify any job offers through official government channels to avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
