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 their involvement in a ₦4.8 million employment scam.
According to the commission, Justice B.M. Bassi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, found the duo guilty of defrauding two victims under the guise of offering them jobs at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
In a statement issued on Wednesday, ICPC spokesperson, Demola Bakare, said the case originated from a petition filed by the victims, Saifudeen Yakub and Aminu Abubakar.
“The petition detailed how the defendants, alongside another suspect still at large, collected ₦4.8 million from the complainants to facilitate fake employment offers,”
the ICPC said.
Investigations revealed that Mohammed, posing as a National Assembly staff member with supposed contacts at the CBN and FIRS, demanded ₦4 million from each complainant, promising to deliver their appointment letters by April 27, 2021.
The victims later deposited ₦3 million into a Zenith Bank account belonging to one of the defendants and were subsequently asked to pay an additional ₦300,000 each for alleged medical screening, which was paid into an Access Bank account.
Following its investigation, the ICPC arraigned the defendants on five counts of conspiracy, forgery, and obtaining money under false pretence, in violation of 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, 2015, which permits plea bargaining, both defendants pleaded guilty to an amended one-count charge of making false statements, contrary to Section 25 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences 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.
The ICPC reaffirmed its commitment to accountability and integrity in public service and cautioned Nigerians against falling for fake job offers, urging them to verify employment claims through official government channels.
