The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of two officials of the National Assembly, Mustapha Mohammed and Tijjani Goni, for defrauding unsuspecting job seekers of ₦4.8 million under the guise of securing them employment.
Delivering judgment, Justice B.M. Bassi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, found the duo guilty of collecting money from two victims on the false promise of facilitating their recruitment into the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
A statement issued on Wednesday by ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare revealed that the case originated from a petition filed by the victims, Saifudeen Yakub and Aminu Abubakar, who alleged that the convicts conspired with another suspect currently at large to swindle them.
According to the commission, investigations showed that Mohammed posed as a National Assembly staff member with high-level connections in both the CBN and FIRS. He allegedly demanded ₦4 million from each complainant, promising to deliver their appointment letters by April 27, 2021.
Further findings indicated that the victims deposited ₦3 million into a Zenith Bank account owned by one of the defendants and later paid an additional ₦300,000 each into an Access Bank account purportedly for medical screening.
Following the probe, the ICPC arraigned the two men on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, and obtaining money under false pretence, offences contrary to the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006 and the Penal Code.
However, under Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, which allows for plea bargaining, both defendants pleaded guilty to an amended one-count charge of making false statements under Section 25 of the ICPC Act, 2000.
As part of the plea agreement, they refunded the entire ₦4.8 million to the ICPC Recovery Account and were each fined ₦100,000 by the court.
Reaffirming its commitment to integrity and accountability in public service, the ICPC urged Nigerians to remain vigilant against fraudulent job offers and to verify any employment claims through official government channels.
